On October 18, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Cultural Week officially opened at the Shanghai Art Museum, marking a grand encounter between southern and eastern China at the 24th China Shanghai International Arts Festival. The event also unveiled the "Reform Mission: Guangdong Art Centennial Exhibition," presenting a vivid portrait of Guangdong's century-long artistic journey.
As one of the festival's key highlights, the GBA Cultural Week brings together seven original productions and 14 performances from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. It is the first time the festival has featured the collective cultural vitality of the entire Greater Bay Area—bridging regional creativity with Shanghai's cosmopolitan energy.
At the opening ceremony, Lin Lan, Chairperson of the Guangdong Artists Association, reflected on the enduring spirit of openness that has shaped Guangdong's art over the past century.
"From the founding of the Lingnan School of Painting to the rise of modern sculpture, we've always believed that art must move with the times," she said. "The journey of Guangdong art is not only a regional story, but a reflection of China's transformation from tradition to modernity."
She also looked ahead to deepening regional ties: "We look forward to continuing collaboration between Shanghai and Guangdong to create more cross-regional and high-level art projects," Lin added.
Wang Shaoqiang, Curator of the Guangdong Museum of Art, elaborated on the exhibition's theme, Reform Mission. "It's not only about the courage of masters like Gao Jianfu and Lin Fengmian to open their eyes to the world," he said. "It's also about how we, today, continue to find balance between tradition and innovation."
As put it by Zhu Guorong, Consultant of the Shanghai Artists Association, the connection between the two regions runs deep. "Shanghai and Guangdong may be geographically far apart, but artistically, they are deeply connected. Guangdong's influence on Shanghai's art development has been significant," he noted.
The opening night also featured the Cantonese opera "Double Embroidery Affinity," performed by the Guangzhou Cantonese Opera Theater, marking the troupe's debut at the Shanghai International Arts Festival. Li Jiayi, the opera's leading actress and Chairperson of the Guangzhou Drama Artists Association, said, "This platform helps bring great works from Guangzhou to audiences around the world. Through Cantonese opera, we hope to share beauty in diversity and harmony in difference."
From the Pearl River to the Huangpu River, this cultural dialogue between Guangdong and Shanghai continues to unfold—blending heritage and modernity, and writing a new chapter of Chinese art in motion.
Reporter: Li Fangwang
Video/Cover: Pan Jiajun
Editor: Hu Nan, Shen He
