Participation in the largest performing arts fair and marketplace in the Asia-Pacific region, the 25th ChinaSPAF (China Shanghai International Arts Festival Performing Arts Fair), held from 14 to 17 October, proved particularly valuable as representatives of Fortress of Culture Šibenik - Director Gorana Barišić Bačelić and Head of International Cooperation and Projects Đurđa Vrljević Šarić - had the opportunity to present the institution’s work and promote Šibenik as a cultural destination to an international audience and colleagues from around the world.
The Director of Fortress of Culture Šibenik was also among the panellists in the discussion “International Dialogues: Arts-Driven Destinations – Festival to Venue,” which explored the role of cultural heritage, creativity, and culture in urban development. During the discussion, she shared Fortress of Culture’s experience in transforming historic sites into vibrant contemporary cultural venues, highlighting how a relatively small city can develop a distinctive and internationally relevant model of cultural management.
Over the four days of the festival, a significant number of new contacts were established with cultural professionals from across the globe. Delegates from public institutions, companies, performing arts organisations, associations, and festivals - promoters, managers, organisers, producers, artists, performers, and creatives - from Australia and Oceania, North and South America, Europe, and Asia all came to Shanghai with the same goal: to meet industry peers, present their work, exchange contacts, and explore opportunities for future collaboration.
What was particularly striking throughout these encounters was the recognition that, despite vast differences in scale, resources, and operating environments, cultural organisations around the world face remarkably similar challenges. These range from audience development and the sustainability of cultural programmes to strengthening the connection between culture, local communities, and destination identity.
Shanghai proved impressive in every respect, particularly in terms of investment in cultural infrastructure and the ambition with which it continues to develop its cultural scene. This contrast served as a valuable reminder that the true value of cultural projects is not measured solely by the scale of investment or infrastructure, but also by ideas, the quality of content, management approaches, and the impact that culture has on urban life.
The festival organisers made a considerable effort to showcase Shanghai’s cultural assets. Networking events, for example, took place in outstanding settings, including newly built and highly equipped cultural centres, theatres, concert halls, and performance venues throughout the city. Among the highlights was a visit to the yet-to-open Shanghai Grand Opera House, a monumental contemporary building featuring a vast fan-shaped outdoor auditorium, widely promoted as the new “largest open-air stage in Asia.”
Through its participation in the 25th ChinaSPAF, Fortress of Culture Šibenik established new contacts, gained fresh ideas, and opened opportunities for future international cooperation. At the same time, the event provided further confirmation that the experience and expertise developed in Šibenik have a meaningful place in international discussions on the future of culture and cultural destinations.
