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The Cultural Year of Greece in China, which began in September 2007 and finishes this month, presented the modern and changing character of Hellenic Culture to Chinese audiences.

Theatrical performances, cinema tributes, dance, archaeological and modern art exhibitions, opera, folk concerts, modern and popular music, conferences and book exhibitions constituted the main activities that took place.

As the Cultural Year draws to a close a Concert of Greek Music by the State Orchestra of Hellenic Music will mark the finale.

The highlights of the past Cultural Year of Greece in China are now summarized below.

Theater

The production of the ancient comedy ‘Birds’ by Aristophanes and the more than 2,000-year-old tragedy ‘Ajax’ by Sophocles which shed light on the role of Greece as a "Cradle of Drama." These performances provided insight into the evolution of drama as an expressive art and, as presented by some of Greece's most eminent modern artists, are sure to inspire contemporary dramatists and actors here. A workshop was also held for students and professionals allowing them to study techniques and themes of ancient drama.

Moussais, An Aristophanes Spectacle

Directed by: Vassilis Papavassiliou

Beijing, National Grande Theatre, September 11, 2008

Recreated from Aristophanes’s masterpiece, the Moussais combines Aristophanes’s classical critique with diachronic reality. The Greek director Vassilis Papavassiliou reviewed the ancient masterpiece from his own point of view.

The ‘Birds', another masterpiece of Aristophanes, was also put on stage at the National Grande Theatre on February 27.