Shanghai builds reputation as cultural entry point to China

As China opens it borders to more international performers, including the Rolling Stones, the city of Shanghai is positioning itself as an all-round cultural hotspot to draw foreign artists to its stages.

Part of the Shanghai municipal government's mandate is to promote its artists to the world but officials are also working to attract Western acts to the city's own galleries, theatres and concert halls.

"Shanghai plans to become an international cultural communications centre, which gives us a responsibility to introduce famous overseas musicians, composers and conductors to China," Chen Guangxian, general manager of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra told CBC News.

Toronto cellist and Order of Canada member Ofra Harnoy travelled to Shanghai to perform with Chen's orchestra earlier this month.

"This is a mecca," Harnoy said. "This is the centre, right now, of music. Everyone seems to be coming here."

An exhibit of Inuit art opened in Nanjing, west of Shanghai, earlier this month and piqued local interest in Canadian native art, while acclaimed aboriginal performance troupe Red Sky toured the country.

Sandra Laronde, founder and artistic director of the Toronto-based Red Sky, described performing in China as thrilling.

"They say the 21st century belongs to China and there's a momentum, a feeling there's definitely something moving very quickly," she said. "It's a very big energy."

Other Canadians acts set to visit China include Ottawa's National Arts Centre Orchestra, which is scheduled to tour mainland China in 2007.