Echoes of history: Reflecting on Southwest Drama Exhibition

Set against the poetic backdrop of Guilin's mountains and rivers, the 2024 Guilin Festival will open on Oct 26, bringing together artists and visitors for a celebration of cultural and artistic heritage.

The festival is set in the historic Guangxi Provincial Art Museum, which first opened its doors 80 years ago during the War of Resistance Against Japan to host the Southwest Drama Exhibition, a pivotal moment in Chinese theater history led by figures like Ouyang Yuqian and Tian Han.

This year, the festival will feature a wide range of performances focusing on drama, music, and fine arts. The festival's core is drama, with 18 productions from six countries showcased across various unique venues, including theaters themed on mountains, trees, caves, and tents. These performances will seamlessly blend the natural beauty of Guilin with its rich cultural legacy.

In a special tribute, the festival will launch the Ouyang Yuqian Drama Award and revive the iconic "10 critics panel" to review the plays. Additionally, a multimedia exhibition will project historical images of the Southwest Drama Exhibition onto the Lijiang River near Elephant Trunk Hill, merging past and present.

A group photo of the Southwest Drama Workers Conference. [Photo/Guilin Daily]