As summer vacation draws to a close, why not embrace the last moments of leisure with a visit to the Guangzhou Cultural & Arts Centre? Nestled at the heart of the city's axis, the Centre integrates public performances, training, exhibitions, creation, research and exchanges, as well as the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage. This Lingnan-style garden beckons you to explore its enchanting blend of tradition and creativity!

Entrancing Exhibitions

From Paper to the Metaverse -Special Exhibition of the Smurfs' 65th Anniversary 

(Photo provided to GDToday)

Visitors will embark on a journey that begins with the theme song of the TV series The Smurfs and follows a series of exhibition panels designed by the Belgian historical studio of Peyo. Under the direction of Peyo's daughter, Véronique Culliford, the exhibition showcases the 65-year evolution of the Smurfs, transitioning from paper to the metaverse.

Time: Until August 31

Venue: Hall 3, Calligraphy Gallery (翰墨园三号厅)

Tea Helps to Build a Better World - Maritime Silk Route Tea Culture Expo (茶和天下兴-海上丝路茶文化展)

(Photo: Guangzhou Cultural & Arts Centre)

Immerse yourself in a panoramic journey of tea culture with 12 thematic sectors! Through diverse exhibits and hands-on experiences, the exhibition unveils the allure of China's tea culture in the modern era. Visitors can also have a sip of tea there.

Time: Until December 15

Venue: Cantonese Culture Garden (广府园)

Flowers Bloom in the City of Flowers - Guangzhou Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition (花城百花开--广州非物质文化遗产展)

(Photo: Guangzhou Cultural & Arts Centre)

This permanent exhibition is divided into seven areas showcasing Guangzhou's intangible cultural heritage of music and opera, delicacy, festivals, medicine, martial art, crafts, and folk stories.

Venue: F2-F5, Central Pavilion, Public Cultural Center (公共文化中心中心阁二层到五层)

Captivating Performances

2023 Lingnan traditional quyi showcase (遇见曲艺--粤·传承2023岭南曲艺传习所惠民文艺展演)

(Photo provided to GDToday)

Quyi (melodious art), a distinctive blend of folk performances, embodies China's rich cultural tapestry. Led by renowned pipa virtuoso Chen Lingyu, young musicians of the "Lingnan Traditional Quyi Institute" will perform classic masterpieces in various quyi forms.

Time: August 22

Venue: Folk Art Garden (曲艺园)

Clarinet chamber music concert (《幻想曲》——单簧管室内乐音乐会)

This concert features works from the 19th to 20th centuries, taking the audience on a musical journey through the unique flavor of the clarinet.

Time: August 22

Venue: Experimental Theatre 2 (实验剧场2)

Acrobatic show "Swan" (杂技《天鹅》)

(Photo provided to GDToday)

Themed harmonious coexistence between man and nature, the acrobatic show "Swan" was created and performed by the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe of China.

Starting with the melody of "The Swan" by Camille Saint-Saëns, the show takes "Swan Lake" by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky as the musical thread running through the performance. Meanwhile, it integrates acrobatics, ballet, modern dance, and other art forms.

Time: August 22 and 23

Venue: Theatre (剧场)

Various Lectures

Music appreciation of the poetic opera "The Complete Song Cycle of Shi Jing (The Book of Songs)" (大雅之美-诗歌剧《诗经·乐图》音乐赏析)

 (Photo: Guangzhou Opera House)

This poetic drama is based on 17 poems from "The Book of Songs", China's oldest existing collection of musical verses. It presents a romantic story around 3,000 years ago, and it was once performed at Carnegie Hall in New York.

Liu Tianshi, the composer of the drama, will analyze the cultural connotations and musical language characteristics of "The Book of Songs". Meanwhile, audiences will enjoy wonderful excerpts of the drama and live singing by the actors.

Time: August 27

Venue: Experimental Theatre 2 (实验剧场2)

Special lecture on guqin ("留光逸彩"——古琴专场)

(Photo: Guangzhou Cultural & Arts Centre)

The lecture will feature guqin performances and interviews with musicians, offering people a better understanding of this ancient Chinese instrument.

Time: Late August (to be determined)

Venue: To be determined

Event details and registrations are available on the WeChat subscription account of Guangzhou Cultural & Art Center “广州文化馆”. 

Guangzhou Cultural & Art Centre

Opening hours: 9:00-17:30, Tuesday to Sunday

Add.: No.288 Xinjiao Zhong Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou (广州市海珠区新滘中路288号)

Admission: Free (Booking is required via the center's official WeChat account "广州市文化馆")

Nearest Metro Station: Take Metro Line 3, get off at the Datang Station, and use Exit B.