The mere name of Shanghai evokes a sense of the ancient culture and traditions of China that goes as far back as 6000 years. The city’s name has come up in so many stories of folk lore, art, performances and even narrations that it has become engraved in one’s mind as the symbol of China’s cultural ancestry. Needless to say the city fosters and nurtures this image up to this current age and its famous Shanghai International Arts Festival is an incredible example of its faithful endeavour to strengthen China’s performing arts and showcase it to the world, ensuring its sustainability as well as absorbing the best of the world’s art cultures.
This famous arts festival has been established in 1999, in November and has the sponsorship of the Ministry of Culture while the organising is carried out by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government. Even from a national perspective of festivals, this one has incredible recognition, being acknowledged as the only state arts festival in the country and also having the approval of the State council of the People’s Republic of China. It has also been award winning as the country’s most influential festival.
The event is an excellent opportunity for tourists and foreigners to see a range of foreign arts as well as China’s own inherent performances coming into play on a single platform. The festival includes an interesting collection of programs like art programs, art exhibitions, trade fairs as well as mass cultural activities. Being the ideal stage for some excellent foreign exchange of cultural treasures, the event doesn’t fail to bring in internationally acclaimed classics as well as drama and miming which appeal to a wide audience both local and foreign.
A vibrant tapestry of art and its many performances and portrayals is yours to feast your eyes on at this glorious event that is all set to go on board this year. While the tickets are not easy to obtain, participation is an absolute must for the foreign visitor who has not seen a festival of such calibre in China.
A traveller would do well to look at a 5 star hotel Shanghai if he wants to experience the hospitality of this great city to its best. The Peninsula Shanghai of the Peninsula fame is sure to live up to your expectations of the highest kind, by pampering you with its manifold luxuries that leave little for imagination. With ravishing views over the Bung and the Huangpu river, this Shanghai luxury hotel promises an enchanting stay that does justice to its name and fame in the hospitality industry.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.