At the invitation of the Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in Shanghai, Mr. Ji Hongxing, a senior official of CWI, led a 5-person team to Bulgaria on a 5-day visit from Jan 25 to Jan 29.

　　During its stay in Bulgaria, the delegation visited Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, and Plovdiv. Talks were carried out with Head of the Cultural Association of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria and the officials of Plovdiv’s City Hall. Moreover, the delegation paid visits to the time-honored Plovdiv State Puppet Theatre, the private puppet theatre of Plovdiv, and the Children’s Troupe of Zora Library.

　　The delegation and the persons in charge of the reception parties held talks on cultural exchange programs and reached tentative agreements including the issues of inviting the Bulgaria Children’s Art Troupe to take part in the 7th Shanghai International Children’s Cultural and Art Festival to be held in Shanghai, and inviting Bulgaria Children’s Troupe to participate in the Shanghai International Children Theatre Festival. In addition, the delegation recommended the Little Companions Art Troupe of CWI for a part in the Bulgarian art festivals and relevant cultural activities, which received positive response from the host. During the visit, the delegation also learned about the operation pattern of Bulgarian troupes. The Head of the Cultural Association of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria expressed the wish to build a platform for mutual long-term exchanges and further promote the development and prosperity of the theatre culture of both countries. The visit has stepped up CWI’s exchange and cooperation with the rest of the world in the domain of theatre culture.