Arms open to the new generation

The 11th edition of Wuzhen's festival promises to break ground, offer fresh possibilities to young theater practitioners, Cheng Yuezhu reports.

For around 10 days each year, the water town of Wuzhen in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, which is known for its historical feel and tranquil, tree-shaded rivers, brims with vibrancy as it welcomes the Wuzhen Theatre Festival.

The organizers' goal is to create a dynamic, immersive extravaganza for visitors. Each year, the event hosts a variety of cutting-edge, contemporary and classic domestic and international theater productions. Visitors can attend forums and panel discussions, where creators share their interpretations and insights, while those who have simply come to Wuzhen for a holiday can still experience open-air performances and enjoy stilt-walking processions that take place in the town's nooks and crannies. With the markets, exhibitions and live music, the festival embraces visitors with a varied experience of culture and entertainment.

"I remember sharing my thoughts about what the festival would bring to Wuzhen, when we were planning for the inaugural edition a decade ago. I said that in about 10 years' time, Wuzhen would have an entirely different image, with or without the festival," says cofounder and chairman, Chen Xianghong.