On Sept 9, as part of the “2020 China International Fair for Trade in Services” online forums, the 2020 Beijing Forum for Performing Arts 2020 began. From Sept 9 to 10, representatives from about 100 performing arts organizations from 27 countries and regions on 6 continents gathered for virtual discussions about how the arts industry can thrive in the global pandemic and build a community of shared future for theaters.

Wang Ning, president of National Center for the Performing Arts, Alex Beard, chief executive of Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Peter Gelb, general manager of The Metropolitan Opera, Waldemar D?browski, director of Polish National Opera and María Victoria Alcaraz, general director of Teatro Colón, gave keynote speeches after the opening ceremony.

Four topics were covered at the thematic forum on the second day, including emergence and application of new modes of artistic production, opportunities and challenges of online streaming, new modes of theatre operation during the pandemic and new prospects of building a community with a shared future for theaters around the world.