A Scene from Blooming of Time, performed by Beijing Modern Dance Company.[Photo provided to China Daily]

Wuhan Qintai Grand Theater launched a dance festival on Thursday to mark the reopening of the theater, which had to close its doors due to the COVID-19 outbreak in January. The festival will run through Oct 8.

Dance productions, including Midnight Rain, Blooming of Time and First, from Beijing Modern Dance Company, as well as Beauty Shanghai and Wandering in Dreams, two dance pieces from Shanghai-based Jin Xing Dance Theater, were staged.

The latest original ballet, Like Flowers from the National Ballet of China, and Liaoning Ballet of China's ballet piece, Hua Mulan, will be performed.

According to Wang Wenping, the general manager of Wuhan Qintai Grand Theater Management Co, outdoor events aiming at attracting amateur dancers, such as a flash mob event by dancers from the Beijing Modern Dance Company, were held for the audience.

"After such a long hiatus, we are noticing that audiences are eager to get back to theaters to enjoy live performances. It makes the experience of attending a theater event special and valuable," says Wang.

Launched in June 2007, the Wuhan Qintai Grand Theater is flanked by Moon Lake and the Hanjiang River, two of the city's renowned scenic spots. In 2009, the nearby Wuhan Qintai Concert Hall opened to the public. Both of the two venues are managed by Wuhan Qintai Grand Theater Management Co.

During the dance festival, Wuhan Qintai Grand Theater worked with MilanOltre Festival, a 34-year-old art festival from Milan, Italy, to bring more programs to Chinese audiences through the internet. It celebrates the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Italy.