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CHINA FOCUS 2025: A Celebration of Contemporary Chinese Performing Arts in Edinburgh

The renowned arts initiative, CHINA FOCUS, is making its spectacular return to the Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2025. This fifth edition will bring together a collection of nine immersive productions that highlight the rich and varied landscape of contemporary Chinese performance art. The event will take place from July 30 to August 25, showcasing an array of performances that span music, dance, theater, and experimental art.

Debuting Performances

Among the standout events, the China National Centre for the Performing Arts Orchestra will perform on August 6 at Usher Hall, under the direction of Myung-whun Chung. Acclaimed pianist Liu Xiaoyu will play compositions including Chen Qigang's Wu Xing, along with pieces by Ravel and Saint-Saëns. This concert marks a significant debut and an enriching musical experience for festivalgoers.

Highlights from the Fringe

The Festival Fringe will feature eight exciting productions, each offering unique interpretations and multimedia experiences:

1. Personallery 4.0 by Shanghai University of Sport integrates ballroom dance with AI technology to reimagine the classic tale of The Peony Pavilion.
2. Youth and Poetry, a vibrant production by QFun Theatre, turns the ancient text The Book of Songs into an engaging children's musical.
3. Zhuangzi's Dream from the Central Academy of Drama presents a fusion of shadow puppetry and Daoist philosophy, creating a thought-provoking narrative.
4. The Vast Lament The Floating Life Performance by Spectator Concept Theatre explores metaphysical themes through the lens of augmented reality.
5. Inspired by the Eastern Wind from the Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts interprets strategies from classic texts using dynamic street dance moves.
6. The Pure Blue from the Shanghai Theatre Academy evokes themes of ocean conservation through ethereal choreography.
7. Echoes by the China Coal Mine Art Troupe brings the legendary story of Ji Kang to life in a powerful musical drama.
8. Hibiscus and the Thistle from the Hunan Song and Dance Theatre creatively marries traditional Chinese instruments with Western classical music.

A Legacy of Cultural Exchange

Since its inception in 2017, CHINA FOCUS has successfully presented 35 performances to over 120,000 audience members in Edinburgh, effectively merging traditional elements with modern artistry. The initiative is organized by the China Shanghai International Arts Festival, co-organized by Branding Shanghai, and enjoys support from the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Chinese Embassy in the UK, and other cultural bodies.

This year’s event aims to enhance the visibility of Chinese narratives on an international platform, celebrating the power of performance art to transcend cultural boundaries.

As anticipation builds for the festival, it invites audiences to explore the myriad stories and artistic expressions that contemporary Chinese artists bring to the stage, reaffirming the essential role of cultural exchange in today's global society.

With this exciting lineup, CHINA FOCUS promises to captivate and inspire audiences, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of Edinburgh.

For further details, contact Jennifer Qian at branding Shanghai.