Theatre Academy presents a scene from Hamlet. CG Ignacio is flanked by (L-R) Inspector Wang Junwei of the CPPCC Shanghai General Office; top-level actor Pu Cunxi, Chair of the Chinese Association of Drama Artists; and Director Yan Jun of the CPPCC-Shanghai Committee on Education, Science, Culture, Health and Sports

Shanghai, 18 May 2021 – The Consular corps in Shanghai was treated on 12 May to a comprehensive and impressive afternoon showcasing Shanghai’s steady, purposeful and well-planned effort to brand Shanghainese culture and turn this global city into an ‘international cultural metropolis’.
Philippine Consul General Josel F. Ignacio joined fellow Consuls General and other foreign officials in an afternoon of facility tours and sample performances by Shanghai’s leading troupes organized by the Culture and Art Sector of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)-Shanghai Committee.

 A tour of the Shanghai Symphony Hall a viewing of the rehearsal of the renowned Shanghai Symphony Orchestra opened the program. The group was then shuttled to the Shanghai International Dance Center to view a dress rehearsal of Hamlet by the Theatre Academy of Shanghai’s Dance College; as well as of performances by the Shanghai Dance Theatre and the Shanghai Ballet

The afternoon closed with a panel discussion hosted by Deputy Secretary General Cao Zhenquan of the CPPCC Shanghai Committee and presentations by the individual members of the Committee’s Culture and Art Sector, on ongoing activities in the field of music, performance arts, art education, and the promotion of the culture and art forms of Chinese indigenous groups.CPPCC-Shanghai Committee briefs and engages the Consular Corps on programs and activities

Apart from exposure to Shanghai’s rich reservoir of high-caliber cultural talents, the participating foreign consular officials gained useful insights on the city and China’s overall approach to promoting Chinese culture and civilization abroad, and to according cultural programs a prominent spot in the national agenda. The group was unanimous in recognizing lessons that could be drawn for the arts and culture programs of their respective governments. END

Clockwise from top left: Another view of the Hamlet scene by the Shanghai Dance College Theatre Academy; A folk dance by the Shanghai Dance Theatre; Rehearsal of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra; Shanghai Ballet members taking a bow; a touching traditional fan dance piece by the Shanghai Dance Theatre.