From Sept 16 to Oct 16, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Culture and Arts Festival will take place across 11 cities, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Macao.

Now in its fifth edition, the festival features performing arts, exhibitions, lectures, and cultural exchanges. It stands as one of the region's most comprehensive cultural events, striving to highlight both global classics and local talent.

More than 100 high-quality performances, 18 art exhibitions, 150 charity shows, and a series of art lectures will be offered, providing audiences with a comprehensive artistic experience.

A total of 35 productions will be performed over 100 times. International highlights include Russia's Vakhtangov Theatre staging Eugene Onegin and Uncle Vanya, the Greek National Opera's La Traviata, and Matthew Bourne's modern Swan Lake. 

Four major forums will gather top directors, musicians, and playwrights to discuss topics like "arts and urban life" and "innovation in traditional opera." Attendees can also engage with artists through talks before and after the shows.

Eighteen exhibitions are scheduled to open during the festival, with the flagship being Contemporary Art from the Greater Bay Area at Guangdong Museum of Art's new Bai'etan venue. This exhibition features nearly 100 works by 37 artists from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, examining local identity in a global context.

The art festival will bring together nearly 300 organizations from 20 countries and regions. It functions as a marketplace for new projects and collaborations, connecting the GBA to international performing arts networks.

The GBA, with a population of over 80 million, is quickly transforming into a cultural and economic center. This festival showcases how the region is engaging with the global stage: bridging East and West, blending tradition with innovation, and intertwining local narratives with international masterpieces.

Both visitors and residents can look forward to September and October as they offer a chance to experience some of this year's most anticipated performances and exhibitions, all during a month-long celebration across the Greater Bay Area.

Bai'etan Greater Bay Area Art Center. [Photo/WeChat account: GZWS411665430]