Stage set for theater to play key role

This year, the celebrations took place at Langfang's Silk Road International Arts Center, with over 300 guests from around the world attending the event, and more than 1,000 spectators enjoying the performances.

As an integral part of the celebrations, an event called A Dialogue of Global Theatre Practitioners invited notable figures to deliver keynote speeches addressing their understanding of how theatrical arts influence individuals and society.

These figures included Pu Cunxin, a distinguished stage actor and president of the CTA; Lemi Ponifasio, the World Theatre ambassador of the theater institute; Jessica Kaahwa, a director-actress from Uganda, and Chen Yan, a playwright and vice-president of both the Chinese Writers Association and the CTA.

Pu holds that art serves as a bridge among nations with different languages and cultures.

"I have performed in many plays reflecting both ancient and modern China, as well as classics from abroad, such as those written by Shakespeare, Chekhov and Ibsen," he says.

"These foreign literary classics have enriched me greatly. At the same time, I interpret their stories using my own understanding, imagination and expressive methods, making them a part of global theater."