Cultural exchanges

The China Performing Arts Agency, which is under China Arts and Entertainment Group, is hosting an education program of theater management in Guangzhou through Jan 12, inviting theater management masters of the league from both home and abroad to give classes.

Li says coproductions are crucial to connections among league members.

The Guangzhou Opera House, which was designed by award-winning Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, opened in 2010 and has produced six operas, such as Carmen, Tosca and La Traviata, in collaboration with top opera companies from around the world, including Rome Opera House, the Metropolitan Opera House and Komische Oper Berlin.

In 2018, the Guangzhou Opera House will premiere its original opera, Marco Polo, based on the story of the Venetian explorer who traveled along the ancient Silk Road.

League members also shared their views on expanding to other kinds of art forms.

"We share a similar goal with the Silk Road International League of Theaters－that is to promote communication, preserve and promote traditional art forms," says Spanish puppeteer Idoya Otegui, who is the general secretary of UNESCO's International Puppetry Association.

Otegui has been with the association since 1986 and became the first woman to serve in that capacity in 2016 since the organization was established 88 years ago.

In Guangzhou, Otegui watched performances by Pingyang Puppetry Protection and Inheritance Center, Sichuan Huge Puppetry Theater and Yangzhou Puppetry Troupe.

Reflecting on what she saw, she says: "This old art form is well preserved in China. We will work together to promote the development of puppetry, especially in our efforts to appeal to the younger generation."

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn