3 December 2018

2018 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the International Theatre Institute ITI. In order to celebrate this special year, demonstrate the charm of the performing arts and promoting the international exchange in performing arts so as to fulfill the aim of “enhancing the friendship among the people of all countries and promoting the world peace”, the Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the International Theatre Institute ITI & Haikou Theatre Festival was held successfully in Haikou Municipality, Hainan Province, China from 23 to 26 November 2018. The theme of the event was “Protect Cultural Heritage, Pursue Art Innovation and Integrate in Diversity”. More than 290 Chinese and foreign guests, performers and staff were invited to the event.

The event was organized by the International Theatre Institute ITI, the China Theatre Association, the Haihan Provincial Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan, and the Haikou Municipal People’s Government, and was co-organized by the Shanghai Theatre Academy, the Hainan University and the Hainan Theatre Association. The four-day event included the IIT Gala Night, round tables, workshops, performances by Chinese and foreign emerging artists, Chinese traditional opera performance and drama performance etc.

As an important partner of the International Theatre Institute ITI and one of the co-organizers of this celebration event, the Shanghai Theatre Academy was actively involved in the organization and implementation of the various activities of the celebration. Lou Wei, Party Secretary of the Shanghai Theatre Academy, attended the ITI Gala Night and delivered a speech. Gong Baorong, Dean of the International College of the Shanghai Theatre Academy, participated in the entire program of the event, including as the moderator and a speaker at the relevant round tables respectively. Besides, Lin Qinghong, a young teacher of the Shanghai Theatre Academy, also participated in one of the round tables as a speaker. On 23 November, the ITI Gala Night began in the warm atmosphere created by the group dance “Flying Dragon and Dancing Phoenix” brought by the College of Dance of the Shanghai Theatre Academy. The Gala Night also included VIP speeches, ITI award presentation ceremony and brilliant performances by Chinese and international artists. At the round tables on 24 November, performing artists and scholars from all over the world expressed their own views and engaged in warm discussions on the topic of “Performing Arts and Community Development”. The closing performance of the event on 26 November was “The Wilderness”, a drama presented by the teachers of the Acting Department of the Shanghai Theatre Academy to the Chinese and foreign audience, which featured a perfect integration of the concise freehand style of the East and the natural and unconstrained style of the West, providing the Chinese and foreign audience a unique viewing experience and also making a great conclusion of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the International Theatre Institute ITI.