The 11th Wuzhen Theater Festival raised the curtain Thursday evening in the ancient water town of Wuzhen in Zhejiang Province, east China, bringing together theatrical artists of all ages and enthusiasts from home and abroad.
This year's festival, which runs until Oct. 27 under the theme of "solidarity," features 24 specially invited plays from 11 countries. Of these, 18 performances will compete in the emerging theater artists' competition segment, as well as teaching and reading sessions and outdoor carnivals.
One of the festival's major attractions is the ancient town carnival, which has been drawing crowds of audience members and visitors. Each street is adorned with different scenes, creating an immersive experience.
At Zhaoming Academy, two young theatrical artists performed a puppet show that captivated numerous tourists.
"The marionette seems to come to life through the background music reminiscent of Nanyin (ancient court music) and the performer's lines reflecting an expression of inner self," said Song Qingru, a theater enthusiast.
"It's a popular festival, accessible to everyone. We ordinary people can enjoy it. I love these dramas and come here to take photos and appreciate the performances," said Xu Jufen, a visitor.
The drama fair at this festival features a variety of elements, including music, movies, designer toys, exhibitions, and fairs. It gathers inheritors of intangible cultural heritage and drama performers from across China, merging traditional folk cultures with contemporary arts.
"We invited artists from Peking Opera and Qinqiang Opera (a Chinese folk opera genre originating in the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC-771 BC) to perform in Wuzhen. Tourists can sit on benches to appreciate traditional Chinese dramas, allowing us to share and spread our cultural heritage," said Lu Yaping, one of the program heads for intangible cultural heritage.
Wuzhen Theater Festival kicks off with variety of outdoor live performances
The sharp rise in bean prices in Nigeria has transformed this staple food from a household essential to a luxury, severely impacting people's daily life and exacerbating food insecurity in the country.
Beans, a vital source of protein for many Nigerian families, have seen prices surging dramatically. In Jos, the capital and the largest city of the country, residents are increasingly concerned about their ability to afford this basic food item.
"The surge also affects other food prices, but it's worse with beans. I'm not sure the government has an idea about how many people go to bed hungry many times. It's terrible," said Musbau Hamisu, a local consumer.
For local residents, the soaring prices of beans have made their daily lives increasingly restrictive. "We can even mix it with rice, sweet potato and other things, but now you can't do that because of the alarming price," said Christiana Chollom, another consumer, expressed frustration over the situation
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the price of beans reached 1.5 U.S. dollars per kilogram in July, marking a staggering 250 percent increase compared to last year. Grocery store owners attribute this rise to various factors, including the government's recent removal of fuel subsidies, which significantly raised transportation costs.
"A lot of bean farmers have fled their fields for safety. We now get supplies basically from farms around urban settlements, and it's limited. Transporters have also increased fare prices, and they can't be blamed because the price at the pump has also increased," said Abdulhameed Adam, a local food merchant
As one of Africa's largest bean producers, Nigeria faces challenges in maintaining supply levels. The government is actively seeking ways to boost domestic production and revamp local refineries to lower transportation costs.
Efforts to stabilize bean prices remain critical for the livelihoods of many Nigerians, as the country grapples with a broader food crisis.
Rising bean prices exacerbate food insecurity in Nigeria
