Georgian arts festival in town

A five-day cultural festival featuring Georgian theater, folk dance, puppetry and artistic exchanges has opened in Longhua District, offering residents a chance to experience Georgian culture.

Running through Oct. 25, the “Light of the Silk Road” cultural exchange week brings together Georgian performing arts groups and the China Oriental Song and Dance Troupe for a series of performances, workshops and public activities at the Shenzhen Luhu Art Center and Shenzhen International Art Museum.

The program includes theatrical productions, traditional music and dance, puppet shows, discussions with artists and a cultural market featuring Georgian wine, crafts and food.

One of the festival's highlights is “The Mad Man’s Diary,” performed by Georgia’s Theatre Factory 42 at the Luhu Art Center on Oct. 21 and 22. Directed by Levan Tsuladze, the production is adapted from Nikolai Gogol’s classic short story about a low-ranking civil servant whose frustrations and delusions lead to a psychological breakdown. The performances begin at 8 p.m. on both evenings. 

On Oct. 24 and 25, the China Oriental Song and Dance Troupe will join Georgia’s Rustavi National Song and Dance Ensemble for performances showcasing the musical and dance traditions of both countries. The concerts are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

The Tbilisi State Puppet Theatre will also present two productions, “Lullaby” and “Georgia,” at the art center’s black box theater on both days, with performances beginning at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively. 

The festival also offers opportunities for visitors to engage directly with performers and learn more about Georgian artistic traditions. A cross-cultural discussion of Gogol’s “Diary of a Madman” will be held today, followed by a lecture on the history of Georgian art on Oct. 22.

Members of the Rustavi ensemble will lead a dance and music workshop Oct. 23, while Georgian and Shenzhen puppetry artists will take part in an exchange Oct. 24.

The program extends beyond the theater, with a public performance by the Rustavi ensemble planned at the Shenzhen International Art Museum.

At the Luhu Art Center, a Georgian wine and arts market will introduce visitors to the country’s wine culture, alongside traditional food, jewelry, textiles, ceramics, woodwork and other crafts. The art center has also established an APEC-themed photo spot where visitors can leave messages and take part in activities celebrating Shenzhen's role as host of the upcoming meetings.