Theater Fest starts with Chinese events

ISTANBUL

18th Istanbul Theater Festival organized by İKSV will kick off with events to honor Turkey’s ‘Year of Chinese Culture.’

The 18th Istanbul Theater Festival organized by İKSV will kick off with events to honor Turkey’s “Year of Chinese Culture,” including the Shanghai Song and Dance Ensemble and Beijing Opera.

The colorful and exciting “Year of Chinese Culture in Turkey” events are intended to reinforce cultural and political relations between Turkey and China, and will herald the beginning of the 18th Istanbul Theater Festival May 5- 10.

Considered one of the most respected groups in China, the Shanghai Song and Dance Ensemble will perform on Saturday, May 5 and Sunday, May 6 at 8:30 p.m. at Besiktaş’s Fulya Sanat Merkezi. The ensemble focuses on ethnic dance theater, rediscovering Chinese dance forms and benefitting from other genres, and was established in 1979 after the Cultural Revolution. The Shanghai Song and Dance Ensemble, which performs constantly in China and has toured many other countries worldwide, will present two pieces called “Mother Earth,” dedicated to the survivors of the Van earthquake, and “Dance of Dynasties” in its two special Istanbul performances.

Beijing Opera on stage
The Beijing (Jingju) Opera, also known as the “Eastern Opera,” will perform on Monday, May 7 and Tuesday, May 8 at 8:30 p.m., also at the Fulya Sanat Merkezi. The Opera will present a repertoire including pieces titled “Farewell My Concubine,” “The Drunken Imperial Concubine,” “Night Fight at an Inn,” and “Planning for a Brief Reunion.” In its performances, the Beijing opera blends singing, reading, acting, fighting, and dancing together to narrate stories and depict characters. Roles in Beijing-style opera include male, female, painted-face, and comedic roles. The traditional facial make-up worn by Beijing opera actors is very important, because it can symbolize the personality, characteristics, and fate of a character. In another exciting Chinese cultural event, the Chongqing Tongliang Dragon Dance Group and Foshan Lion Dance Group will give a spectacular street parade with flying dragons and lions, a veritable visual feast for the audience, on Thursday, May 10 along İstiklal Caddesi from Tünel Meydanı towards Galatasaray Lisesi at 6:00 p.m.