The 24th China Shanghai International Arts Festival (CSIAF) opened on Friday, with the opening performance of a classic Kunqu Opera piece dazzling the audience at Shanghai Grand Theatre.

True Elegance of Supreme Harmony: The Kunqu Opera Classics from the Imperial Palace (Season One) was performed by Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe, based on the troupe's study on the opera manuscripts in the collection of the Palace Museum in Beijing.
Kunqu Opera, an elegant fusion of poetry, music, intricate costumes and graceful performance, was inscribed on the list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a world intangible cultural heritage in 2001.
"The 600-year-old Kunqu Opera and the 600-year-old Palace Museum represent a new achievement in our joint efforts to strengthen cultural heritage and its preservation," said Gu Haohao, director of Shanghai Kunju Opera Troupe.
Running until Nov 27, the art festival will feature over 500 performances, exhibitions and events, totaling more than 1,200 sessions. Among the 55 mainstage productions comprising 129 performances, approximately 60 percent are international projects, and more than 90 percent will be premiering in Shanghai, a metropolitan city in eastern China. Over 6,000 half-price tickets will be made available for the public.
"This year, we're fully leveraging this 'theater without walls' program. We have nearly 100 productions available for the public to book for free, bringing them right to people's doorsteps. In shopping mall areas, green spaces, and parks, audiences can enjoy these shows at no cost," said Yang Jialu, secretary of the CSIAF Center's general Party branch.
The CSIAF, which is convened across October and November each year, is one of China's most influential and prestigious international cultural exchange platforms. It is dedicated to fostering cultural exchange and mutual learning among civilizations.