The annual Beijing Fringe Festival returned to Beijing on Tuesday. The festival will encompass six theaters and spaces over the following three weeks and feature 22 dramas and plays.

The opening drama, Trigica 3, was presented by Brasil Cena Internacional at the Fengchao Theatre in Beijing. This will not be the only foreign drama to take part in the festival as dramas from seven countries and regions will be staged across the city.

The logo of this year's fringe festival has been transformed from last year's zebra into a flying zebra with a pair of wings. According to Guo Qi, from the festival's organizing committee, the flying zebra represents how the fringe festival has flown into many people's hearts over the past eight years and gained popularity among young theatergoers.

Meng Jinghui, the festival's artistic director and also one of China's most well-known avant-garde directors, explained at the opening ceremony on Tuesday night that "this year we will see dramas not only from international troupes from places like Brazil and Japan, but also from young talented Chinese directors."

Last year's V Drama section, which requires actors and directors to complete a drama on a certain topic within 48 hours, will continue at this year's festival. This time, audiences can join in by submitting ideas and helping rebroadcast live streams through various social apps.

Global Times