The 2025 China Contemporary Dance Biennial opened in Shanghai on Aug 27, offering five days of dance performances, artistic dialogue, and cultural exchange at the Shanghai International Dance Center Theater.

This year's edition brings together the latest works of young Chinese dance choreographers alongside contributions from 20 leading artistic directors and curators from 14 countries, creating a platform for international voices to engage with the rapidly evolving landscape of Chinese contemporary dance.

The biennial spans seven sections, ranging from full-length stage productions and excerpts of new works to film screenings, workshops, and outdoor showcases, each highlighting the inventive energy of emerging Chinese artists. On the main stage, works such as In Satie: The Rite of Spring, Yong III, Hidden Landscapes, and Butterfly Island explore how traditional Chinese movement and cultural motifs can be reimagined in contemporary form.

International participants from Sadler's Wells Theatre, Theatre de la Ville, and Staatstheater Darmstadt further underscore the event's role in elevating Chinese contemporary dance on the global stage.

"I was really impressed with the quality of work presented here," said Bruno Heynderickx, director of Germany's Hessisches Staatsballett, during an interview. "You have your Chinese way of dealing with contemporaneity, and that's exciting for us to see," he added.

Source: WeChat account of Shanghai Changning media center at "shchangning"