The primary objective of ChinaSPAF is to connect the Chinese and international performing arts markets by attracting outstanding international productions to China while promoting and presenting Chinese artistic projects on the global stage. The fair brings together more than 2,000 representatives from nearly 500 international and Chinese cultural institutions. Its multi-day programme includes project presentations, networking events, forums and international dialogues, live performances, exhibitions, and workshops.
The invitation to participate in the programme, alongside three other representatives from Croatia, represents recognition of the cultural heritage management model and cultural development strategy that Fortress of Culture Šibenik has been developing over recent years.
The institution’s Director, Gorana Barišić Bačelić, will take part in one of the panels within the international discussion series entitled “International Dialogues: Art-Driven Destinations - From Festivals to Venues.” The discussion brings together two key themes: cultural heritage revitalisation and collaborative brand development.
The first panel, titled “Positioning Intangible Heritage Festivals in Urban Environments,” will feature the Director of Fortress of Culture Šibenik alongside colleagues from China, Spain, and Mexico.
Participants will discuss how World Heritage sites can balance stringent conservation requirements with the need for innovation through year-round festival networks and permanent artistic interventions. They will also explore how intangible cultural heritage festivals can transform cities into “living stages.”
Participation in one of the world's most significant international gatherings dedicated to the performing arts further confirms the growing recognition of Fortress of Culture Šibenik on the global cultural scene. It also creates new opportunities for international cooperation, the exchange of knowledge and experience, and the promotion of Šibenik as a successful example of connecting cultural heritage, the arts, and sustainable development.
