Greece Showcased Through Cultural Performances in China

Greek culture and tourism took centre stage in Shanghai this week as the Hellas House hosted a showcase of the Jiangxi Cultural Performances Group’s dance drama, The Epic of China (Tiangong Kaiwu), directed by internationally acclaimed filmmaker Lu Chuan. The event, organized by the International China-Greece Theatre Festival committee, highlighted the upcoming performances in Athens from November 28 to 30, 2025, during the 3rd International China-Greece Theatre Festival. The artistic ensemble included lead dancer Ma Jiaolong, a globally recognized performer.

Speaking at the event, Pavlos Mourmas, head of the Greek National Tourism Organization’s (EOT) China office, emphasized the enduring appeal of Greek culture and tourism. “Greece is not only the cradle of Western civilization but also a beloved destination for Chinese travelers. This innovative 'art + travel' model allows audiences to experience high-level artistic performances while immersing themselves in Greek hospitality, history, and the sea, creating a bridge between the hearts of our two peoples,” he said.

Mourmas also gave an interview to Shanghai TV, which aired during the city’s main news broadcast, further promoting Greece to a wide Chinese audience.

Director Lu Chuan highlighted the shared cultural depth of Greek philosophy and ancient Chinese technology, noting that the performance offers a dialogue between civilizations. Xu Guanhua, president of the Jiangxi Cultural Performances Group, added that Tiangong Kaiwu has traveled globally—from Shanghai to Sydney and now Athens—carrying Chinese artistic traditions across continents.

The event was attended by the Greek Consul General in Shanghai, Spyridon Kritikos; Vice-Rector of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Nikos Maggioros; Professor Roula Tsokalidou, director of the Confucius Institute at Aristotle University; representatives of leading tourism agencies including Spring Tour International, Jin Jiang Travel, and Bloom Travel Group; and travel and culture influencers.

During his visit, Mourmas met with Wang Yong, Secretary General of the Center for Ancient Greek and Chinese Civilizations at Southwest University in Chongqing, exploring opportunities for cultural and educational collaboration, including lectures, themed seminars, and public relations programs involving students and academics. With over 60,000 students, Southwest University is among China’s leading educational institutions, offering Greece a platform to promote its cultural heritage to a young audience in western China.

The Shanghai event received widespread media coverage, with Tencent News/Shangguan News reporting over one million views within the first two days and extensive broadcast exposure on Shanghai TV, reaching millions of viewers.