Art fest ends on a high note

The 20th China Shanghai International Arts Festival ended last night after presenting more than 350 art-related activities from 63 countries, with more than five million admissions reported over the event.

The 35-day event closed with ballet “DON Quixote” at Shanghai Grand Theater. The ballet, choreographed by Alicia Alonso, was presented by the Ballet Nacional de Cuba.

According to the festival, about 50 percent of the 45 programs staged this year are original works holding their premieres in Shanghai, rising from 30 percent last year. The programs averaged seat sales of over 90 percent, with 20 full houses. That includes Yang Liping’s “Rite of Spring,” “Our Common Land” music scene by Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, concert by Riccardo Chailly and Lucerne Festival Orchestra, and Robert Wilson’s “Der Sandmann.”

Impressed by the audiences’ passion and the festival’s creative encouragement, Robert Wilson is planning on a new Shanghai-relevant program with the fest, while Akram Khan said that he was willing to make his contribution to Shanghai dance creation.

The Festival Trade Fair this year attracted participation of more than 460 organizations from 53 countries and regions, and led to 541 collaboration intentions. The number of intentions to bring overseas programs to China as well as introducing Chinese programs abroad each took about 40 percent of the total.

On top of that, 33 organizations joined the Network of Silk Road Arts Festival as new members. The network, founded last year, now boasts 157 organization memberships from 41 countries. A series of programs that encourage collaboration, sharing and discussion about art exchange and development among members are expected to be realized within three years.

"We have always been working on improving our platform, so as to attract more good performances and creators to Shanghai and benefit more ordinary residents here," said Wang Jun, president of the CSIAF Center.