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China Focus productions dazzle Edinburgh's legendary festivals 2025-08-19
From the echo of ancient melodies to the pulse of hip-hop beats and AI-driven dance, China's artistic energy has burst onto Edinburgh's world stage this summer.
The fifth edition of China Focus brought nine groundbreaking productions to the city's legendary festivals, weaving together tradition and innovation in a dazzling cultural showcase.
Since 2017, China Focus has become a trusted cultural bridge, bringing 35 productions to the global stage and offering audiences a vivid window into China's evolving creativity.
Personallery 4.0 from Shanghai University of Sport fuses ballroom dance and artificial intelligence to reimagine Chinese classic The Peony Pavilion.
This year, under the support of China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Shanghai Administration of Culture and Tourism, nine works are presenting 37 performances between July 30 and August 25. Together they demonstrate how tradition and innovation can coexist in fresh, powerful ways.
The lineup includes the National Centre for the Performing Arts Orchestra, whose concert at the Edinburgh International Festival reflected the artistry of a world-class ensemble.
At the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, audiences are encountering strikingly varied productions: The Pure Blue from the Shanghai Theatre Academy, inspired by Dai ethnic dance and ocean ecology; Eastern Wind from the Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts, a fusion of street dance with classical aesthetics; and Echoes from the China Coal Mine Art Troupe, which reinterprets the legend of Ji Kang, one of the "Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove".
The Pure Blue from Shanghai Theater Academy evokes ocean conservation via ethereal movement.
Other works, such as Zhuangzi's Dream, Hibiscus and the Thistle, and Personallery 4.0, weave together philosophy, folk music, and futuristic technology to reimagine performance for a global audience.
Officials and cultural leaders have praised the program as a vital link between East and West.
Zhang Biao, China's Consul General in Edinburgh, hailed China Focus as "an important window into contemporary Chinese art." Zheng Hao of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism described theater as "a mirror of the times," while Neil Semple of the United Kingdom's Department for Business and Trade, pointed to creative industries as "a key field for UK-China cooperation."
Edinburgh festival directors also emphasized the importance of such partnerships in bringing fresh perspectives to global audiences.
Eastern Wind from the Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts interprets classical strategy through street dance.
Running alongside the performances, the "Charming Shanghai" campaign has transformed Edinburgh's cultural districts with images of the city's modern vibrancy, highlighting Shanghai as both a cultural powerhouse and a global partner.
China's contemporary stage is bold, diverse, and ready to engage the world. This year's "China moment" in Edinburgh is not only celebrating artistic excellence but also underscores the power of culture to connect people across borders.
Source: Shanghai Daily
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