From July 23 to 27, the Guangzhou Opera House will host its first International Art and Culture Market alongside the 2026 Bluthner International Music Festival and the Grand Final of the fifth German Ronisch International Piano Competition. Together, they create a five-day celebration of music, art and culture, with free admission for all.

The Guangzhou Opera House enables visitors to immerse themselves in art and take part in cultural events. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

Designed by Pritzker Prize laureate Zaha Hadid, the Guangzhou Opera House is known as the "Twisted Boulders". It won the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC, Fédération Internationale des Ingénieurs-Conseils) Centenary Award for Outstanding Major Project and ranks among the world's top 10 opera houses. Serving as Guangzhou's "urban living room", it stands beside Huacheng Square on the city's central axis and enjoys massive foot traffic from Zhujiang New Town, making it an ideal place to promote art. The event aims to make art more accessible by breaking down barriers between high art and the public, bringing it closer to daily life.

Supported by the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Guangzhou and other institutions, the piano competition invites Professor Wu Ying from the Central Conservatory of Music to chair the jury. Nearly 10,000 participants took part in preliminary rounds nationwide, and around 1,000 young pianists have advanced to the grand final. A series of supporting events, including forums, masterclasses and overseas study exhibitions, will be held alongside the contest.

Located in the public space on the ground floor, the International Art & Culture Market comprises three sections: a cultural market featuring artists and boutique brands, a concert marking the 186th anniversary of Tchaikovsky's birth, and public viewing sessions of the piano competition. Pop-up musical performances and family-friendly art activities will also be arranged to enrich the visitor experience.