Sino-Hellenic International Theater Festival:A Celebration of Chinese Culture at the Christmas Theater

Sino-Hellenic International Theater Festival

02/12/2022

The two-day Sino-Hellenic International Theater Festival at the Christmas Theater brought together diverse audiences to celebrate the beauty of Chinese culture through theater, interactive activities, and culinary delights. The festival featured two remarkable Chinese dramas: “The Prince of Lanling”, performed by the National Theater of China, and “The New Legend of the White Snake”, produced by the Sino-Hellenic Performing Arts Alliance. Both productions included bilingual subtitles in Greek and English, ensuring the stories resonated with the multicultural audience.

“The Prince of Lanling” recounts the tale of a legendary general from the Northern Qi Dynasty (550–557) who dons a divine mask to protect his identity. While his battlefield victories make him a feared warrior, they also lead him down a path of brutality. Guided by maternal sacrifice, he ultimately rediscovers his humanity, offering profound reflections on human nature.

Meanwhile, “The New Legend of the White Snake” reimagines the iconic Chinese tale by blending elements from Chinese and Greek cultures. This unique adaptation, performed by the Chinese diaspora in Greece, incorporates aspects of Greek mythology, creating a cross-cultural narrative that captivated audiences. Luo Tong, a scholar of Greek literature, noted that the event marked a milestone for cultural enthusiasts among Greece’s Chinese community.

“This festival represents a grassroots initiative that fosters camaraderie between the local Chinese community and Greek society,” Luo shared with the Global Times. “Unlike previous collaborations led by professional groups or government entities, this celebration is organized by and for the people, building deeper connections between the two cultures.”

Beyond the performances, the festival hosted forums where participants shared insights into their creative processes and discussed opportunities for future collaborations. Luo expressed her aspiration for more extensive cultural exchange programs in the coming year, envisioning partnerships at both grassroots and governmental levels.

Greek Deputy Minister of Culture, Christos Dimas, lauded the festival as a groundbreaking initiative. “This is something we fully support, and we are hopeful for even greater cultural exchanges between Greece and China in the near future,” Dimas remarked at the opening ceremony.

Chinese Ambassador to Greece, Xiao Junzheng, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing China’s dedication to fostering cultural collaboration with Greece, particularly through joint efforts with the Greek Ministry of Culture.

In addition to the theater performances, audiences were invited to immerse themselves in various cultural activities, including calligraphy workshops, kung fu demonstrations, dragon and lion dances, and traditional Chinese cuisine. The festival offered a comprehensive cultural experience, bridging the two ancient civilizations and setting the stage for continued collaboration and mutual understanding.

Event News

During our theatre festival,  Major newspapers, online platforms, and television media provided detailed coverage of the festival’s contents. 

Kathimerini

A celebration of Chinese culture through theater, dance, music and food comes with the Sino-Hellenic International Theater Festival at the Christmas Theater……

Global Times

The inaugural Sino-Hellenic International Theater Festival delighted audiences in Greece over the weekend, featuring captivating performances of Chinese dramas……

ANT1 news about the Grand Opening of Sino-Hellenic International Theatre Festival 2023-2024