Theaters in China, Bulgaria join forces

China's national performing arts theater chain CPAA Theaters and the Ivan Vazov National Theater of Bulgaria, signed a cooperation agreement in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Thursday during the third China-CEEC (Central and Eastern European Countries) Cultural Cooperation Forum.

The agreement is the latest part of the Silk Road International League of Theaters, an open and developing institution initiated by CPAA Theaters in 2013. The institution comprises 81 theaters and organizations in 31 countries and regions.

The Chinese and Bulgarian theaters will collaborate on events, such as an international cultural festival, and help develop cultural and artistic products in both countries.

The two parties also agreed on exploring new fields for cooperation and winning support from related institutions to promote exchanges of information, resources and staff. Both are expected to help each other with promotion fairs and putting on performances.

The agreement aims at enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation to raise the quality of cultural and artistic exchanges.

Ivan Vazov Theater was built in 1906, and was recognized as the national theater of Bulgaria in 1925.

The third China-CEEC forum in Hangzhou runs through Sept 24. During the forum China's Culture Minister Luo Shugang was expected to meet with delegates. Various papers will be signed at the forum, including the Hangzhou Declaration on Cultural Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries, a 2018-19 plan and a memorandum for establishing a coordination center in Macedonia.

The biannual forum was launched in Beijing in 2013. In 2015 the second session was held in Sofia, Bulgaria.