On January 8th, 2018, the opening ceremony of the “Opera Director Talent Cultivation” Project of the National Arts Fund sponsored by SUSTech and undertaken by Shenzhen Grand Theatre was held in Shenzhen Grand Theatre.

SUSTech’s Vice-Chairperson of the University Council Li Fengliang, dignitary in China’s playdom and National Level 1 Director Chen Xinyi, China’s first female opera and symphony conductor Zheng Xiaoying, Vice Chairman of Chinese Musicians Association and Vice Chairman of Xinjiang Literary Federation Nvsileti Wajiding, famous tenorist and Assistant Scout Leader of China National Symphony Orchestra Huang Yuefeng, President of Shenzhen Musicians Association Yao Feng, General Manager of Shenzhen Grand Theatre Zheng Wenxia and President of Chinese Culture Promotion Association Wang Shi were among the guests attended the opening ceremony, which was chaired by Director of SUSTech’s Arts Center Bi Baoyi.

Li Fengliang delivered a speech at the ceremony in which he pointed out that SUSTech was the only university in Shenzhen to be awarded a National Arts Fund project in 2017, and it has long been devoted to the promotion and development of high-end arts education. As an emerging university of science and engineering, SUSTech places great emphasis on mutual development of scientific and artistic qualities, as well as noble characters and innovative spirits; and will strive to create a first-rate art education platform and contribute to the prosperity of Socialist culture with Chinese characteristics.

Chen Xinyi made a speech at the ceremony and raised her learning requirements for the trainees through her recollection of her own arts experience.

Yao Feng said in his speech that the hosting of the “Opera Director Talent Training” project is another great event of SUSTech after successfully hosting the “Belt and Road International Music Seminar” in its less than two-year history. He highly commended the development and achievements of SUSTech’s Arts Center and pointed out the important role of the Arts Center in continuously filling the blank of Shenzhen’s musical culture.

Zheng Wenxia expressed that the sponsoring of the Opera Director Training Class by SUSTech fully reflected the prospective and leading of SUSTech’s strategic insight. She wished great success for the “Opera Director Talent Training” project and hoped that it becomes a national brand and contributes to the cultural construction of Shenzhen.

During his speech, Wang Shi pointed out that the development of the world’s culture is becoming a “community” under the current historical background. The blossoming of a single flower does not make spring; it is spring only when all the flowers are blooming; Chinese culture must go beyond the boundaries of small cultural circles for it to become global.

Bi Baoyi said that directing skills won’t be the only thing to learn in the Opera Director Training Class, the trainees will be taught with the “humanity” and “kindness” of arts and achieve true harmony of the world and cultural confidence; Bi Baoyi also encouraged the trainees to set sail from Shenzhen, stay true to their missions and realize their artistic dreams.

All trainees took a group photo with the artists to mark the occasion.