On December 22, the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) will celebrate its 18th anniversary with a public open day arts festival. This year's festival, themed "Eighteen and Youthful, Embarking on a New Artistic Journey," spans three locations: the NCPA main venue, the Beijing Performing Arts Centre, and the Taihu Stage Art Centre.
At a recent press conference, Zhao Haiying, Deputy Director of the NCPA, announced that the festival will feature a full day of artistic celebrations across all three venues, with over 100 performances and activities prepared. Admission remains free but requires online real-name registration. Booking for the NCPA main venue opens at 10:00 AM on December 15, followed by the Beijing Performing Arts Centre and Taihu Stage Art Centre at 11:00 AM. The NCPA and Taihu venues will host separate morning and afternoon sessions, while the Beijing Performing Arts Centre will remain open all day.
As the festival's main hub, the NCPA will blend classical art with modern technology. Highlights include screenings of stage art films such as *Lin Zexu* and *Maria Callas*, live performances by the NCPA Orchestra, Chorus, and Beijing Symphony Orchestra, as well as Peking Opera and Huai Opera excerpts. Public spaces will feature robot performances, flash mobs from *The Railway Guerrillas*, classic song medleys, and intangible cultural heritage displays. Celebrities like Yang Lan, Lü Siqing, and Pu Cunxin will host salon events, album launches, and meet-and-greets.
The Beijing Performing Arts Centre will mark its second anniversary on December 22 with screenings of *La Traviata* and *Lin Zexu*, a pipe organ recital by Shen Fanxiu, chamber music, percussion performances, and exhibitions of sculptures and ballet photography. New cultural and culinary offerings will also debut.
The Taihu Stage Art Centre will open its entire premises for the first time, adding evening performances. Interactive activities include VR stage design experiences, makeup workshops, costume-making demonstrations, and backstage tours. A day-long market featuring intangible cultural heritage crafts, food, and stamp-collecting will connect highlights across the venue. The "Second Exhibition Zone" of the Taihu Stage Art Museum will showcase costumes and interactive scenes tied to the play *Sherlock Holmes: The Suspect*.
Additionally, the NCPA will present 80 performances and special events across all three venues, including the original play *Jin Zhongdu* and a revival of Lehár's operetta *The Merry Widow*.
For more details, follow the NCPA's official channels.
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