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Building Bridges for International Performing Arts Cooperation and Promoting the Two-Way Circulation of Outstanding Productions
2026 Asia-Europe Culture & Arts Development Forum – International Performing Arts Connection Conference Held in Edinburgh
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14th August 2026
The 2026 Asia-Europe Culture & Arts Development Forum – International Performing Arts Connection Conference was held at St Leonard’s Hall, Pollock Halls Campus, The University of Edinburgh on the afternoon of 11 August, local time in the UK. An important component of the 2026 Asia-Europe Culture & Arts Development Forum, the conference was jointly organised by the China Europe Centre for Cultural Innovation (CECCI), Shanghai Theatre Academy, University of Milan, University of York and The University of Edinburgh, with the support of the China Shanghai International Arts Festival Center and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society.Focusing on international performing arts exchange and industry cooperation, the event brought together a diverse range of artistic projects from China, the UK, France, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Bulgaria and other countries and regions. Through thematic presentations and performance showcases, it sought to facilitate the cross-border circulation of high-quality performing arts resources and explore new pathways for international performing arts cooperation and the commercial development of artistic projects.
The conference opened with a presentation by Bryson Xue, Chairman of the China Europe Centre for Cultural Innovation, entitled “A Two-Way Journey: Industry Support Systems and Practical Pathways for European Theatrical Productions Entering China”.Drawing on practical experience in international performing arts cooperation, Bryson Xue examined the various stages involved in bringing outstanding European productions to the Chinese market, including project acquisition, market promotion, resource coordination and commercial development. He called for the establishment of a more systematic, professional and sustainable mechanism for international performing arts cooperation.
The conference featured six distinctive productions from China, the UK, France and Italy, spanning a range of artistic forms including Peking Opera, musical theatre, traditional Chinese opera, contemporary dance and circus. From innovative approaches to traditional culture and cross-cultural artistic creation to physical performance and contemporary stage practice, the programme highlighted the diversity of artistic expression across different cultural contexts.
Shanghai Theatre Academy presented the Chinese production Peking Opera ZHENG HE, a Peking Opera work based on the historical voyages of the Chinese admiral Zheng He. Drawing on the distinctive conventions of traditional Chinese opera, including singing, recitation, acting and martial arts, the production presents the historical story of Zheng He’s voyages to the Western Seas while conveying the spirit and cultural character of Chinese civilisation.
The French theatre company “Singing Willows” presented the multi-sensory children’s musical Singing Willows & The Magical Bed. Combining music, theatre, visual design and sign language, the production creates an imaginative and playful theatrical world for young audiences.
The Cizhou Huai Tune Cultural Center of Hebei Province presented Nüwa Mends the Sky, an intangible cultural heritage production based on the ancient Chinese myth of Nüwa repairing the sky. Through the distinctive language of local traditional opera, the production explores the resilience, creativity and regenerative spirit at the heart of Chinese civilisation.
Mingzhuo Liu, a Chinese dance student at the University of Edinburgh, presented the Fusion Dance work See. Taking the body as its central language, the piece combines the philosophy of martial arts with contemporary dance practice to explore the relationship between the body, space and self.
The University of Milan presented the contemporary circus work The Black Blues Brothers, which combines circus techniques with theatrical expression. Through its distinctive and humorous stage style, the production demonstrates the creative possibilities of contemporary circus.
The Spectator Experimental Digital Theatre presented the contemporary dance work The Floating Life III | QI. Drawing on imagery from Eastern culture, the production uses physical language and stage expression to explore the connection between traditional spiritual ideas and contemporary artistic practice.
Together, the six productions approached their respective themes from different cultural and artistic perspectives. They demonstrated not only how traditional culture can be creatively transformed within a contemporary context, but also the diverse possibilities being explored in dance, circus, musical theatre and other performing arts through cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary creation.
By combining performance showcases with project presentations, the event further strengthened exchanges among arts institutions, creators and industry stakeholders from different countries. It also opened up new possibilities for future cooperation in areas including the acquisition of productions, international touring, co-production and market development.
At the conclusion of the event, Min Hu, Vice President of Shanghai Theatre Academy and Bryson Xue, Chairman of the China Europe Centre for Cultural Innovation, presented certificates to representatives of the outstanding productions featured in the showcase. They then joined guests, artists and representatives of performing arts organisations for a group photograph.
The China Europe Centre for Cultural Innovation has long been committed to promoting cultural and artistic exchange and industry cooperation between China and Europe. It continues to support the introduction of outstanding international performing arts projects into China while helping Chinese original productions reach international audiences and markets.
With projects as the vehicle and the market as a link, the conference sought to connect arts institutions, creative teams and industry resources, while exploring diverse models of cooperation, including production acquisition, co-production, international touring and market promotion. The initiative aims to help more outstanding productions move from being “seen” to becoming the basis for practical cooperation.
Looking ahead, the China Europe Centre for Cultural Innovation will continue to make use of international platforms such as the Asia-Europe Culture & Arts Development Forum to connect more universities, arts institutions, festivals and performing arts industry resources. It will continue to facilitate the two-way movement of outstanding productions, bringing international works to China while supporting Chinese original productions in reaching international markets.
By moving from project exchange towards deeper cooperation, and from one-way cultural dissemination towards two-way co-creation, CECCI aims to build an increasingly open, professional and sustainable platform for cultural and artistic exchange between Asia and Europe and for the coordinated development of the international performing arts industry.
图片及内容版权归CECCI所有，如发现侵权或盗用行为将追究法律责任
All images and content are the property of CECCI. Any unauthorised use or infringement will result in legal action.