Children's theater festival opens in Beijing

This year's China Children's Theater Festival has kicked off over the weekend in Beijing, with a musical "March in the Darkness" opening the festival.

The 9th China Children's Theater Festival opened in Beijing on Saturday, July 6, 2019. [Photo provided to China Plus]

The musical depicts the life of a group of children who all lost their parents and live in a refugee camp during Japan's 1937 attack on Shanghai.

Following the musical, 56 productions from both within and outside China would be staged during the month-long festival.

Yin Xiaodong is head of the China National Theatre for Children. His organization is the sponsor of the festival.

"In addition to a good number of drama shows from international children's theatres, there are a number of Chinese theatres due to give their performances at the festival. Forums on children's theatre development are an integral part of our festival. Organizers of dozens of children's theatre festivals both at home and from overseas would gather at these forums to discuss the ways of deepening their cooperation."

The China Children's Theatre Festival has been held for nine consecutive years. It is aimed to enhance the exchanges of children's theatres between China and other nations.

A group of young Chinese students celebrate the opening of this year's China Children's Theater Festival in Beijing on Saturday, July 6, 2019. [Photo provided to China Plus]