Aranya Theater Festival, Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China, June 15–25, 2023.
The first Aranya Theater Festival commenced in June 2021. After being canceled in 2022 due to the pandemic, this theatre festival finally struck its second pose. Spanning eleven days and boasting a star lineup of artistic directors, fourteen international and twenty-four domestic productions were woven around the theme of “Howls and Whispers.” Although it has only been held twice, the festival has already become an indispensable cultural phenomenon.
The town of Changli County, home to the Aranya Resort, lies on the distant outskirts of Qinhuangdao City, nearly two-hundred miles from Beijing. It stands seventeen miles from the nearest train station of Beidaihe and largely lacks public transportation. The name “Aranya” finds its roots in Sanskrit, symbolizing a secluded haven traditionally found in forests, the wilderness, or distant lands. Within the confines of its walls, this community unfolds as an oasis for...