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(Shanghai Theatre Academy/China) Dancing in Edinburgh, Entering UNESCO
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8th September 2025
Recently, a delegation team from the Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA), led by Nie Wei, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of the Academy, visited the United Kingdom and France. During the visit, the delegation carried out a series of academic exchange activities, released its concepts for future drama creation and performance, and presented its vision for international cooperation. Collaborating with international festivals and renowned art universities, Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA) aims to build a global network for artistic creation, co-development, joint construction, and mutual connection.
The original dance drama The Pure Blue participated in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which was one of the key purposes of the Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA) delegation’s visit to the United Kingdom. Written and directed by Zhou Bei, Deputy Dean of the College of Dance at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, the production was supported by the Shanghai Cultural Development Foundation and the Shanghai International Dance Centre Development Foundation, and was selected and recommended by the China Shanghai International Arts Festival to be featured in the official “Focus on China” section of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Echoing the Festival’s theme “Dare to Discover”, the production staged three theatre performances and four flash-mob shows during its time in the UK, receiving an enthusiastic response from audiences. The production was highly praised in reports by major media outlets such as the State Council Information Office, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, People’s Daily, Xinhua News Agency International Channel, Xinhua Net, Dragon TV, and Phoenix TV. It was also rated a four-star performance by mainstream British media.
In Edinburgh, the College of Dance of the Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA), in collaboration with the China–Europe Centre for Cultural Innovation (CECCI) and other organisations, hosted the 2025 Asia–Europe Culture & Arts Development Forum. Nearly hundreds of representatives from over 20 countries engaged in in-depth discussions on key topics such as international cultural and artistic exchange and its future development, market mechanisms for Asia–Europe cultural cooperation, and trends in cross-cultural artistic innovation. Zhou Bei delivered a keynote speech, while producer Zou Rui and young performer Dong Han gave live demonstrations.
During the forum, Nie Wei, together with representatives from the Edinburgh City Council, the University of Edinburgh, and other institutions, jointly unveiled the “Arts Practice Base (Edinburgh)”. Nie Wei noted that the base would become an important hub for the cultivation of international theatre professionals, further promoting industry–education integration and helping Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA) to build a global network for artistic creation and collaboration.
The 2025 Edinburgh Festival “Focus on China” and “Charming Shanghai” Promotion Event was one of the key highlights of this year’s Edinburgh Festival. The event was attended by officials from the Department of International Exchange and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom, the Chinese Consulate-General in Edinburgh, and the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, as well as over a hundred representatives from domestic and international art troupes, media organisations, and artists.
To celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA), a special segment titled “STA Release” was presented at the event. Nie Wei delivered a keynote speech titled “Artistic Co-creation and Co-prosperity: Building a Global Network of Collaboration”. From Eastern interpretations of Shakespeare to explorations of AI-driven theatre, he highlighted STA’s 80-year commitment to creating a shared space for dialogue among civilisations and to advancing the integration of science and art in fostering the theatre of the future.
The “STA Release” also extended an open invitation to artists around the world, stating that regardless of where creativity originates, Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA)’s collaborative network for co-creation, co-development, co-construction, and connection is ready to work hand in hand and fully empower artistic innovation.
During the visit to France, the Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA) delegation reached a number of strategic cooperation agreements with various institutions, further expanding the Academy’s international network for cultural exchange and collaboration.
At meetings with the China–Europe Association for Cultural Exchange and Europe Television, the delegation held discussions with Gao Chunfang, Chairperson of the Paris Chinese Film Festival; Dong Qixin, Secretary-General of the China–Europe Association for Cultural Exchange; Chen Shimin, Chairman of Europe Television; and Chen Chen, Director of the station. Dong Jian, Deputy Dean of the Film School of Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA), introduced the school’s work in academic development, talent cultivation, educational practice, and industry–education integration. Both sides held in-depth discussions and reached a consensus on jointly establishing an overseas arts practice base for Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA)and promoting China–France film and television cultural exchanges and cooperation.
On behalf of the Academy, Nie Wei signed a Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement with the China–Europe Association for Cultural Exchange. The two parties will engage in comprehensive collaboration in overseas arts education and talent training, incubation and promotion of high-level artistic works, and the international dissemination and practice of Chinese culture, actively contributing to the Cultural Power Strategy and the people-to-people exchanges under the Belt and Road Initiative.
The delegation also met with Dr Konstantin Kontogiannis, Secretary-General of the International Dance Council (CID), UNESCO; Margarita Séguy, Director of External Relations; and Mao Qiang, Director of International Projects. Dr Kontogiannis expressed appreciation for Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA)’s support during the International Dance Day celebrations. Both sides agreed to cooperate on research into the inheritance and protection of intangible cultural heritage in dance, to establish joint promotion mechanisms, and to advance the integration of dance art and digital visual technology, thereby facilitating the global dissemination and contemporary transformation of traditional Chinese and Asian dance.
At the Chinese Embassy in France, the delegation met with officials from the Cultural Office and Education Office. Nie Wei briefed them on Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA)’s recent progress in international exchange and cooperation, as well as the international events planned for the Academy’s 80th anniversary celebrations.
Chen Gang, Director of the Cultural Office, expressed appreciation for Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA)’s contributions to international cultural exchange and cooperation, congratulated the Academy on its remarkable achievements on the global arts stage, and suggested that STA draw inspiration from France’s flexible small-theatre model to explore integrated performances combining culture, commerce, and tourism, thereby enhancing the adaptability and influence of Chinese cultural outreach.
Yan Aihua, Director of the Education Office, commended Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA) for its accomplishments in high-level arts talent development and international student education, encouraging the Academy to strengthen artistic exchanges with France and Europe, expand summer schools and international enrolment, and attract more young people from France and Europe to study in China, thus further consolidating the people-to-people foundation of China–France cultural relations.
During this visit to Paris, the Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA) delegation established closer cooperative ties with major French and international cultural organisations through a series of high-level visits and meetings. At the same time, the delegation reached substantive cooperation agreements in several fields, including film, dance, and arts education. These achievements fully demonstrate Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA)’s international vision and sense of responsibility as one of China’s leading art institutions, injecting new momentum into the promotion of China–France cultural and artistic exchange.
news source link：https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/JW_258cK0Myus2bdtHmRoQ
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.