2017-05-12

On May 12^th, 2017, Chairman ZHANG Yi was invited to visit China National Theatre for Children (CNTC), and discussed the cooperation with Mr. YIN Xiaodong, President of CNTC. Both parties reached the consensus of establishing the long-term mechanism of Sino-European children theatre cooperation through two-way exchange programs. Mr. HU Zhenming, Deputy Secretary General of ECMDC, Ms. SONG Yue, Project Official of ECMDC, Mr. SUN Licheng, Director of Cooperation and Development Department of CNTC, and Ms. SUN Ming, Ms. ZHANG Shengjuan of CNTC also attended the meeting. 

Mr. ZHANG Yi and Mr. YIN Xiaodong (Right Two), Mr. SUN Licheng (Right One), Mr. HU Zhenming (Left One)

Founded in 1956, China National Theatre for Children (CNTC) is the only national children’s art troupe directly subordinated to the Ministry of Culture of China. The first President of CNTC was REN Hong. The current President of CNTC is YIN Xiaodong. CNTC has borne the responsibility of inheriting, developing, creating and presenting excellent theatrical performances for the youth, played an important role of representing, demonstrating and guiding in national children’s drama. CNTC has dedicated numerous classic and diverse dramas for the audience, and cultivated a large number of distinguished and outstanding artists, performers for children’s drama, many of whom are winners of various prestigious art awards in China.

Mr. YIN Xiaodong extended his warm welcome to the delegation headed by Mr. ZHANG Yi; then he made the detailed introduction to the history and the current situation of CNTC. He remarked, in the past decades, CNTC has produced and staged a great number of exquisite works, from ancient to modern, in China and abroad, such as Malan Flower, Twelve Months etc. These dramas are accompanying the growth of Chinese of several generations, and are the beautiful memory of childhood shared by all the Chinese. 2016 is the 60^th anniversary of CNTC. The glorious history of 60 years is the foundation for the further development of CNTC in the new era, which is also the clarion call sounded to motivate CNTC to pioneer and innovate. Henceforth, CNTC is looking forward to establishing the close partnership with ECMDC to explore the win-win cooperation. The joint efforts aim to bring excellent plays of CNTC to Europe, and go global. In the meanwhile, more and more excellent European plays and the advanced performing ideas are expected to be introduced into China in order to promote the development of children theatre in China. 

Mr. ZHANG Yi expressed his gratitude to the warm reception from Mr. YIN Xiaodong, and introduced the mission and functions of ECMDC. He said, ECMDC is dedicated to the cause of promoting Sino-European people-to-people communication since its foundation. ECMDC attaches the special importance to the cultural exchange between Chinese and European youths. The visiting of CNTC has enabled ECMDC to have a better understanding of CNTC, which is the foundation for the future win-win cooperation. ECMDC has a wide networking and abundant resources in Europe, and stands ready to provide services for the performances of CNTC in Europe. ECMDC intends to work with CNTC to promote Chinese culture, and present Chinese stories in an effective way through the performances of children’s drama. ECMDC has the close partnership with the local governments at different levels in China as well, and will work with CNTC to bring more excellent dramas and happy moments to children in various Chinese cities. On the basis of these cooperation projects, ECMDC is willing to work with CNTC to establish the long-term mechanism of Sino-European children theatre exchange and cooperation. 

Mr. HU Zhenming provided the further elaboration on the cooperation projects between ECMDC and CNTC. He remarked, on the basis of full preparation and previous communication, both parties have reached the consensus of cooperation in the aspects of Sino-European children theatre’s production, performance, talent training and exchange. The next step is to jointly present the practical and down-to-earth action plan and implement it. The joint efforts between ECMDC and CNTC will surely provide a new window for Sino-European children theatre exchange within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, which will promote the internationalization of CNTC as well. 

At the Meeting

Mr. ZHANG Yi and Mr. YIN Xiaodong defined the road map and timetable for the follow-up. The partnership agreement between ECMDC and CNTC will be signed soon.