WAPA International Youth Arts Festival kicks off in Beijing

The press conference and launch ceremony for the 2026 World Association for Performing Arts (WAPA) International Youth Arts Festival is held in Beijing, Nov. 3, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

The press conference and launch ceremony for the 2026 World Association for Performing Arts (WAPA) International Youth Arts Festival was held in Beijing on Nov. 3, bringing together industry representatives and artists from China and abroad.

Approved by China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the inaugural festival is jointly hosted by WAPA and the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA).

Founded in 2020 at the initiative of the NCPA, WAPA is an international, professional and nonprofit organization. It brings together 48 member institutions from 30 countries and aims to provide young artists worldwide with a platform to showcase their talents and engage in dialogue, while promoting mutual learning among civilizations.

The festival features eight winners of top international music competitions from six countries across four continents, who play instruments including piano, violin, viola, organ, oboe and percussion.

Wang Ning, chairman of WAPA and president of the NCPA, speaks at the press conference and launch ceremony for the 2026 World Association for Performing Arts (WAPA) International Youth Arts Festival in Beijing, Nov. 3, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

At the launch ceremony, Wang Ning, chairman of WAPA and president of the NCPA, said young people represent the future of classical music and play a vital role in passing on artistic traditions.

He described the festival as an innovative initiative by WAPA and the NCPA to support emerging artistic talent and said he hoped it would provide an open and inclusive platform for international exchange.

Peter Paul Kainrath, president of the World Federation of International Music Competitions, speaks at the press conference and launch ceremony for the 2026 World Association for Performing Arts (WAPA) International Youth Arts Festival in Beijing, Nov. 3, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Peter Paul Kainrath, president of the World Federation of International Music Competitions, said the festival is more meaningful today than ever. He added that it brings fresh creative energy to the international music scene while conveying optimism and hope — qualities that are particularly precious in today's world.

Artistic adviser Lyu Jia speaks at the press conference and launch ceremony for the 2026 World Association for Performing Arts (WAPA) International Youth Arts Festival in Beijing, Nov. 3, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Lyu Jia, artistic adviser to the festival, said he hoped audiences would hear not only the performers' impressive technical skills but also each young musician's individual voice, personality and understanding of music. He also encouraged the musicians to maintain their passion for music and curiosity about art.

The eight competition winners also took the stage to interact with guests and media representatives, sharing their expectations for the festival.

Zhu Jing, vice chairman of WAPA and vice president of the NCPA, speaks at the press conference and launch ceremony for the 2026 World Association for Performing Arts (WAPA) International Youth Arts Festival in Beijing, Nov. 3, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Zhu Jing, vice chairman of WAPA and vice president of the NCPA, highlighted the importance of professional guidance and international collaboration in nurturing young artists.

She said young musicians need the guidance and support of renowned conductors and established artists, as well as opportunities to collaborate with world-class orchestras. She expressed hope that more institutions would join the effort to nurture emerging talent and help young artists develop more quickly and smoothly.

Running from Nov. 3 to 9, the festival will present four major concerts at the NCPA and the Beijing Performing Arts Centre (BPAC), alongside a series of public arts education and exchange activities.

One of the festival's highlights, the "Summer Night" Music Competition First Prize Winners Concert, will be staged at the BPAC Nov. 6 and 7.