Shanghai unveiled its top 50 cultural initiatives in 2023-24 on March 14, highlighting the city's commitment to cultural innovation and excellence.

Jointly released by the Shanghai Gewu Research Institute of Cultural Development and the China Financial Information Center, the selection covers five categories and showcases standout cultural projects that have made a significant impact.

The winning initiatives were selected based on their influence, innovative strength, popularity, integration with other sectors, and international reach.

This year's selection was drawn from 376 submissions, 16 percent more than the previous year, according to the selection committee.

Fu Xianglin, president of the Shanghai Gewu Research Institute of Cultural Development, said that the recognized cases showcased a diverse range of cultural achievements.

Among the honorees were:

• Blossoms Shanghai, an acclaimed TV series
• Music in the Summer Air, an annual festival organized by the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra
• On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt, an exhibition held at the Shanghai Museum
• Becoming a Fan of Chinese Cultures, a multimedia production co-produced by the Information Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and Xinmin Evening News

One of the recognized initiatives was the Heping Library, Shanghai's first 24-hour library located in a park, which was hailed as one of the 10 most popular projects by locals.

Han Yao, director of the Hongkou District Library, highlighted the library's child-friendly environment, all-day reading services, and green spaces for exhibitions, performances, and markets.

Another notable case was the Genshin Concert, featuring original music from the role-playing game Genshin Impact, developed by Shanghai-based Chinese game company miHoYo.

The concert, blending orchestral music with Chinese traditional instruments, marked a major success in cultural exchange, with 27 performances staged across China and internationally in 2023-2024, drawing a live audience of 80,000 people.

The concert tour also achieved remarkable digital engagement, garnering 14.18 million views and 520,000 likes on YouTube.

Since 2019, Shanghai has been selecting its top cultural initiatives to strengthen the Shanghai Culture brand and share its cultural stories with a global audience.

The latest unveiling marks the fourth round of the selection.