On the morning of today (September 24), the Information Office of Shanghai Municipality held a press briefing for the 24th China Shanghai International Arts Festival (CSIAF). Jin Lei, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, introduced the overall arrangements for the 24th CSIAF. Kong Lun, deputy director of the Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Shen Danna, deputy chief of Huangpu District, Gu Haohao, vice chair of the Shanghai Federation of Literary and Art Circles and director of the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe, and Li Ming, president of the China Shanghai International Arts Festival Center, attended the press briefing and answered questions from reporters. The 24th CSIAF, hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China and organized by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, will take place from October 17 to November 27. Under the motto “A Festival of Arts, a Gala for All,” the festival will present over 500 performances and exhibitions, totaling more than 1,200 events across eight major program areas: “Global Art” for performances and exhibitions, “A Hundred Schools of Art” for international dialogues, “Art of Connection” for the Performing Arts Fair, “Art Space” for community-focused art events, “The City of Art” for art education programs, “Future of Art” for Rising Artists’ Works, “Diverse Art” for parallel and professional sessions, and “Infinite Art” for fusion and innovation. Thanks to its Shanghai premieres, performances for local residents, and gala events, the CSIAF has earned a place among the world’s leading arts festivals in terms of performance quality, number of premieres, participation of renowned groups, and the breadth of institutional involvement.1. Bringing together the best from around the world and building a global stage for cultural exchangeThis year’s festival further connects top-quality performing arts resources from around the world, aiming to present a vibrant scene where the finest cultural and artistic masterpieces converge in Shanghai.First, creating a new performing arts “highland” where global resources converge. Among the 55 programs and 129 performances in the main lineup, approximately 60% are international, with over 90% making their Shanghai premieres. The opening and closing performances will continue the “one Chinese, one foreign” format, featuring Taihe Zhengyin: Kunqu Opera from the Collection of the Palace Museum Series 1 and a concert by Daniel Harding with the Orchestra of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. Renowned international ensembles, including the Vienna Philharmonic, Staatskapelle Dresden, and Berliner Ensemble, will perform in Shanghai. The classic series and Shanghai exclusive programs will showcase the enduring core strengths of Asia’s performing arts capital.Second, fostering a new artistic atmosphere with outstanding Chinese works. The Shaanxi People’s Art Theatre Shanghai Residency will present five major productions. Shanghai’s local works include the final season of the stage play Blossoms Shanghai and the concert Poetry of China. Other original works include the national opera Heart Knot and the dance drama Wang Yangming. Some productions draw on traditional Chinese culture, while others reflect contemporary realities, showcasing the new spirit of Chinese art through innovative expression and demonstrating the vibrant vitality of this “port” of Eastern culture.Third, cultivating a new ecosystem for international institutional exchange and cooperation. The International Performing Arts Fair will feature seven performance promotion sessions and five city visits, while the International Dialogues will host 10 professional dialogues. The conference will also include the Fifth Annual Conference of the Network of Silk Road Arts Festivals. It is expected to attract around 500 professional institutions and 2,000 industry representatives worldwide, creating a platform where global industry leaders demonstrate the authoritative influence of the international performing arts benchmark.2. Serving the People’s City and Building a Public Platform for Cultural EngagementThis year’s festival embodies the “People’s City” concept, promoting widespread access to high-quality performing arts and creating an “artistic magnet” that brings art to every corner of Shanghai while radiating nationwide.First, designing a new menu for public cultural offerings. The Art Space will feature more than 90 events across 60 programs in major public spaces in Shanghai, involving nearly 2,000 artists from over 30 countries and regions. With themes such as “Red Gene,” the Belt and Road Initiative, China-Italy Diplomatic Relations, and Digital Youth, the programs highlight regional cultural characteristics while enriching the everyday lives of the public.Second, forging a new landscape for shared aesthetic education. The arts education section will host over 80 events across 33 programs, engaging audiences of all ages. Branded initiatives such as Student Delegations to Theaters and Exhibitions, Arts in Schools, and Youth Drama Performances will integrate resources, talent development, and international exchange, creating a high-quality, upgraded aesthetic education platform that combines exhibition, evaluation, and learning.Third, expanding new venues for cultural participation. This year, the festival will offer over 6,000 half-price tickets, lowering barriers to access and enhancing citizens’ sense of cultural enrichment. The second round of Enjoy Shanghai cultural consumption vouchers, launched this year, will also be valid for all currently available tickets for the festival’s main performances.3. Decoding “Why Shanghai”: Exploring Innovative Platforms for Integrating Urban Culture and Tourism This year’s arts festival explores the cross-sector integration of “art +” across multiple dimensions — content, venues, and experiences — drawing audiences from around the world to Shanghai, driven by passion and curiosity.First, creating a “new dimension” for arts to empower urban innovation. The Rising Artists’ Works presents nine stage and visual art works, including the festival’s first technology-integrated category, highlighting the cutting-edge explorations of emerging artists. ARTRA emphasizes technological innovation through three cross-disciplinary fusion works. Additionally, the professional performance section will feature the Shanghai International Magic Week, the Shanghai International Puppet Art Week, and the inaugural Jazz Shanghai Music Week. By integrating creativity, trends, and new technology into urban life, the festival offers a fresh vision for the city.Second, forging a “new paradigm” for arts-driven urban collaboration. The festival continues to extend its venues to Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui. Zhejiang’s Nanxun venue will host an international parent-child cultural arts season on the ancient town stage, strengthening the integration of Yangtze River Delta cities with high-quality performing arts resources. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Cultural Week will also be held this year, featuring performances, exhibitions, and promotional events to promote cultural synergy between China’s mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao.Third, creating a new model for using art to revitalize the urban economy. This year, the festival leverages the ticket economy, partnering with leading internet platforms to launch “performance + tourism” and “information + discount” initiatives, creating an attractive “combo package” for food, accommodation, and travel. The festival will also collaborate with the China International Import Expo, the Shanghai Tourism Festival, the Shanghai Urban Space Art Season, and the Autumn Shanghai Art Festival. Through festival linkage and combined performance-and-exhibition tickets, the event transforms cultural tourism traffic into incremental consumption, attracting both domestic and international audiences to immerse themselves in Shanghai’s vibrant autumn arts scene.