Chen Xianghong, Huang Lei, Stan Lai and Meng Jinghui, Co-Founders of Wuzhen Theatre Festival, held a Roundtable Dialogue, in which they discussed many propositions about theatre, expression and life.

This is the eleventh year of Wuzhen Theatre Festival. At this moment, what do you think are the missions that Wuzhen Theatre Festival needs to take up?

Chen Xianghong: I think the future mission of Wuzhen Theatre Festival is very specific though ambitious: firstly, we should continue to spare no effort to cultivate young theatre talents for China, and provide more opportunities for youth theatre incubation. Secondly, it should be diversified and professionalized, with a more open and inclusive attitude, so that the Wuzhen Theatre Festival can become a window for the world's theatre to understand China and a bridge for Chinese theatre to integrate into the world. Thirdly, the mission is to create a sustainable and high-quality cultural experience, and always focus on creating a "Centennial Theatre Festival" with lasting vitality.

Stan Lai: Our pressure is actually increasing. Because we are Wuzhen Theatre Festival! Once a year, so many people look forward to, so many people and so many places to imitate ...... Of course, it is good that there are more theatre festivals, but we still have much pressure. Because since we're in the position of being the leader, we're supposed to do what the leader should do. Every year we do a lot of work.

Meng Jinghui: The Wuzhen Theatre Festival needs to be responsible for two things - one is responsible for what is happening now, and the other is responsible for the future. These eleven years, almost all of the world's outstanding contemporary directors and theatre masters have come to the Festival, which is a reflection of the "absolute professionalism" of the Festival. To be responsible for the future is to be responsible for the young people - for example, our Emerging Theatre Artists' Competition, and the new unit we made this year: Granary Reverie.

Huang Lei: Theoretically speaking, a theatre festival shouldn't take on any mission. Its biggest mission is to be a "festival", which is to make everyone happy. We have been trying to awaken the seriousness and sincerity of everyone in a serious and sincere way for so many years. There is a line in Chekhov's The Seagull: "Theatre is a very serious thing". If this seriousness can be matched with sincerity, then Wuzhen Theatre Festival allows a person's one day here to fill the remaining 364 days of the year. Inside the theatre, it's a pleasure to give birth to serious thoughts.

How to make Chinese theatre creation, acting and expression more profound, imaginative and aesthetic? And what do you think are the core problems that need to be solved?

Huang Lei: This (question) isn't really related to the country. The most important thing is that people should accept diversity. The core issue is not about art, but about basic education, about how to make common sense and consensus among people - in what way do you choose to live in peace with the world and yourself?

Meng Jinghui: Actually, I don't know the answer, everything is in exploration. Sometimes we don't know if this is the right thing to do, but we have a feeling that for the Wuzhen Theatre Festival, if we seize the "international" and "young" aspects, I think it's fine. For us, it is especially important that we dare to be responsible for things, we should decide which way to go or where to stop.

Stan Lai: Maybe people think that our creation environment is not good, that's true, these years (creation environment) is not good. But I think you can still find something in the "bad". I have been constantly writing new plays. We should have faith. I believe that we can find very moving and worthwhile subjects to write about. If we really have this creative talent, that means that we do have a mission - we have to tell the stories of our time.

What is the one proposition or one confusion that you have pondered the most in recent times in terms of life, creativity, art and life? And, is there an answer?

Meng Jinghui: Not recently, I have always had some confusion. For example, in terms of my own creation, what I'm thinking about is - is my personal expression mumbling or shouting? Mumbling is what is in my heart and for myself; shouting is what I make known to the world with a "loud speaker". These are mixed together with my pain, depression, my indecision and determination. I've been torn between them.

Stan Lai: I have been thinking a lot about the issue of "creativity". Because this year I had the opportunity to translate my book Stan Lai on Creativity into English, and in the process of translation, I was thinking about "creativity" - about why our society is so un-creative in so many ways, and that's a great pity. The Wuzhen Theatre Festival is an opportunity to stimulate creativity, whether you are a performer or an audience, it will open up a new way of thinking.

Huang Lei: Faith. We still have to have faith. This faith is not in others or in the world, but in yourself. Also, I've been thinking about how to make my life more fulfilling. I don't want to be a tool, no matter how the world changes, no matter what kind of way people get along with the world, I want to be a fulfilled person anyway, I don't want to be a tool. As for the biggest confusion - I often wonder if I will become an "empty" person. Emptiness and cowardice are linked together. Once a person escapes and is cowardly, he will be empty. I read a play the other day, and the last line said, "I know exactly where I am now, but I have no idea where I'm going." C'est la vie.

Please share with us the daily moments in your life that make you feel most "beautiful" and "happy"?

Chen Xianghong: During the Wuzhen Theatre Festival, after the bustle of the day, the old street was quiet again at night. This quietness became "calm busyness", at this time our hearts were still surging with the richness brought to us by the theatre art in the daytime, and the town left us with the most beautiful reminiscences.

Huang Lei: I am a person who can easily feel joy or happiness. During this time I am with my family every day. Children's world is so beautiful. Everyday is beauty, that really is one of the clearest, directly accessible, truly palpable beauty.

In the midst of adversity or downturns, why do we still need theatre and art? What kind of theatre and art do we need in particular?

Stan Lai: Theatre is most needed in times of downturn. Generally speaking, there is a wrong concept that culture and art can only be found in affluence, but I think it's the opposite, human beings need art in their most primitive state.

Meng Jinghui: It seems to be needed at all times. The dimension of survival is the dimension of eating, drinking, sleeping, power struggle, and living in pursuit of something, but one dimension is not enough, the other dimension is of art. And then to make it more interesting, you have the dimension of the soul to pursue. Most people have only the first of these three dimensions, and it's miserable! It's not rich, it's not fun, it's a loss!

Huang Lei: In times of downturns, not only theatre and art, but anything of beauty can help you. My advice to everyone is to find and experience the beauty that is in the everyday.

In your life experiences, how have you been saved or saved yourselves at a low point? Can you share your way of being and living?

Stan Lai: I've had fewer downturns. I am more optimistic and I think I can always maintain a working condition. I think it's more important to maintain a sense of care and curiosity - about the world, about people, about ourselves.

Meng Jinghui: Sometimes you can talk about this issue from the perspective of history, but sometimes the God of Fate does not favor you, and there is nothing you can do about it. I think the so-called "low point" is not caused by others, but yourself. In this case, for life, we should see more, observe more and think more.

Huang Lei: This thing (out of the low point), there is only one way, is to what you have to do in an orderly and conscientious manner. You have to realize that this life is your own and has nothing to do with others. Be yourself, read more books and do your things. Care more about yourself, focus on yourself, care less about things that have nothing to do with you. Your life is strong because of your focus and bravery.

What is the meaning of life?

Chen Xianghong: This is a big question of life values. I do not want to answer sublimely. Live in the present, know yourself well, live up to the time and follow your heart.

Stan Lai: The meaning of life never changes because of the details of life. This is a proposition that has been around for ages, and everyone must face it alone. What did you come to this world for? Can this topic be ignored now that technology is more advanced? Sorry, no. This question is always for people themselves to answer.

Meng Jinghui: Honestly, I haven't thought about this question so rationally. Because we are in the middle of it, we really don't know. We can only observe the world and then love the details of the world.

Huang Lei: If we keep asking ourselves, then we will know - the meaning of life is the question itself.