HONG KONG - A new season of performing arts show returned to Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province, on Thursday, starting with the Cantonese version of the entertaining and heartwarming musical I am What I am. 

The 2024 Guangzhou Arts Festival, themed "Discovering Great Theatre in Guangzhou", will highlight various elements of performing arts, including opera, musicals, dance, concerts, acrobatics, and traditional Chinese drama. This year's event is divided into four sections: "Rising Creativity", "Diverse Artistry", "Gathering of Masters", and "Captivating Sounds".  

Running from May 9 to Sept 1, the festival features 140 performances of 60 productions.

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The opening musical I am What I am brought the traditional culture of Lingnan lion dance to the stage, unfolding the story of three “left-behind" teenagers in a small town in China fighting for success.

China Daily photographer Parker Zheng took the photos.