More than 10 insiders and experts attended the opening ceremony of an international art village which has opened in Wuzhen, a well-known tourism spot in East China's Zhejiang Province on Wednesday. By combining scientific and technological elements, it aims to become a new leading nation-wide art platform. Photo: Courtesy of Xiao Ya

An international art village has opened in Wuzhen, a well-known tourism spot in East China's Zhejiang Province. Combining scientific and technological elements, it aims to become a new leading nation-wide art platform.

More than 10 insiders and experts attended the opening ceremony of an international art village which has opened in Wuzhen, a well-known tourism spot in East China's Zhejiang Province on Wednesday. By combining scientific and technological elements, it aims to become a new leading nation-wide art platform. Photo: Courtesy of Xiao Ya

More than 10 insiders and experts including Mei Song, chief expert at Beijing Institute of Culture Innovation and Communication; Li Dun, a Chinese music producer; and Wang Xiaomei, an actor with the National Theater of China; attended the opening ceremony on Wednesday.

A total of 16 art organizations have signed contracts with the village in the hopes of holding more art festivals and musicals in the future. 

More than 10 insiders and experts attended the opening ceremony of an international art village which has opened in Wuzhen, a well-known tourism spot in East China's Zhejiang Province on Wednesday. By combining scientific and technological elements, it aims to become a new leading nation-wide art platform. Photo: Courtesy of Xiao Ya

Aiming to be a leading art incubation center, the village will focus on establishing a digital-based center for modern art creation. For example, many basic installations such as theaters making use of 5G big data, smart concert halls and multifunctional synthesis center will be built in the future.

In addition, the village will also function as an education center.

The village plans to host venues for education institutes including a branch of Beijing Institute of Culture Innovation and Communication and an off-campus practice base for students majoring in musical theater education at the Shanghai Institutes of Visual Arts.

Over 50 insiders and experts attended the ceremony online. Wang Xiaoying, former executive vice president of The National Theatre of China; Cui Wei, director of Hangzhou Song & Dance Theater; and famed director Li Jianjun joined through online video calls.

The village covers an area of 1,203 Chinese mu, or 66 hectares, which equals to 93 soccer fields.

Wuzhen, a historic water town in Zhejiang, is already famous for its Wuzhen Theater Festival, a 10-day annual culture feast. This cultural extravaganza features various theater performances from many countries and is laden with traditional and innovative forms of storytelling.

Global Times