More theater and film lovers than ever before will be able to
enjoy quality performances and screenings for free under a new
program in Shanghai.
As part of the local government program, more than 200,000
people this year can buy cheap tickets and enjoy dramas and
concerts at the Shanghai Grand Theater, the Shanghai Concert Hall
and the Shanghai Oriental Art Center, doubling the number of last
year's visits.
Meanwhile, about 60,000 films will be screened in rural areas
for free, twice as many as last year.
The "Performance Season" and the "Art Class" held by the
Shanghai Grand Theater will receive a new audience including
teachers, workers and expatriates.
Previously only college students had access to discounted
tickets to enjoy quality performances. Another similar program at
the Shanghai Concert Hall will be televised this year to serve even
more music lovers.
The "Oriental Citizen Concert" held at the Shanghai Oriental Art
Center every second Saturday will give students the most
preferential treatment - they can buy a ticket for just 15 yuan
(US$2). Usually tickets are priced at 60 yuan.
Residents in rural areas will be the biggest beneficiaries of
the free digital film program.
By the end of last year about 700 rural digital cinemas had been
set up. By next year, all the city's 1,869 villages will have
facilities, allowing residents to find a cinema within a 15-minute
walk from their homes, according to Jiang Xiaowen, general manager
of the Shanghai East Paradise Digital Cinema Circuit.
"Rural residents can watch the free digital films once a week,"
he said. "A Farmer Digital Film Festival will be held in the first
half this year."
The city will also enhance the establishment of community
culture center at neighborhoods and schools, where entertainment
performances, free films and art lectures will be provided.
There are 100 centers and 600 village-level activity rooms
throughout the city.
(Shanghai Daily January 3, 2008)