As in previous years, the Aranya Theatre Festival has returned in 2024 to Qinhuangdao, in China’s Hebei province. This global summer event by the sea features 29 performances from 17 different countries, showcasing a wide range of multidisciplinary performances. One of the highlights of this year’s festival is the “Migratory Bird 300” public art project, which invites 300 artists to live, interact, and create within a specially created sand city called the “City of Time” for 300 hours, after which the city will be completely dismantled.

Also this year the city has been designed by Ma Yansong/MAD Architects, who have focused on creating a surreal and dreamlike atmosphere that blends art and architecture. Elements of the landscape and creativity merge: sand piles form organic sculptures, while pieces of linen dance in the sea breeze. A road connects independent settlements scattered along its path, offering more open spaces for gatherings. Low walls trace the pathways, maintaining a sense of openness. Additionally, the design provides visual cues that encourage inhabitants to explore the area. The mingling of artists and visitors generates a more dynamic interaction and a shared experience that, through curiosity and discovery, fosters a strong emotional engagement, strengthening the active connections that are formed.