Kunqu Opera classics mark the opening of Shanghai intl arts festival

Yang Bo, deputy director of the bureau for international exchange and cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, said that the network is making a positive contribution to promoting people-to-people cultural exchanges along the Belt and Road.

Yang called on the network to promote the coordinated development of artistic innovation and talent cultivation. "We encourage member institutions to strengthen content cooperation, promote joint productions and reciprocal exhibitions and performances...It is also important to establish a regular training and exchange mechanism," he said.

Yang suggested the network should embrace digital technology such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality and break the barrier of time and space to make art accessible to wider public, especially the youth.

The conference also issued special awards to three individuals in recognition of their lasting contributions to artistic exchange, institutional development, and project advancement: Darko Brlek, general director and artistic director of the Ljubljana Festival in Slovenia, Constantin Chiriac, president of the Sibiu International Festival in Romania, and Gorgun Taner, general-director of the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts in Turkiye.