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A performance takes place at Wuzhen town in Jiaxing. [Photo/WeChat account: tongxiangfabu]

The 13th Wuzhen Theatre Festival will be held in Wuzhen town, Jiaxing, East China's Zhejiang province, from Oct 15 to 25, with the theme "Serene Transcendence".

Alongside the announcement, registration channels for the festival's Emerging Theatre Artists' Competition and Ancient Town Carnival have opened to global participants.

For the first time, the Emerging Theatre Artists' Competition will accept original theatrical productions from around the world without regional restrictions. Participants are required to create works based on three designated elements — gliding, fox, and radio.

Both original productions and adaptations of classic or literary works are eligible. Applications will close on Aug 20, and 18 shortlisted productions will be announced on Sept 20. Finalists will compete for awards including a top prize of 200,000 yuan (about $29,407) for best production.

The Ancient Town Carnival will continue as an open public performance platform with no limits on age, nationality, or artistic form. Street theater, music performances, and installation art are all encouraged, with performances staged across Wuzhen's bridges, canals, and historic alleys. Registration for the carnival will close on Sept 6.

Since its launch in 2013, the Wuzhen Theatre Festival has become one of China's best-known cultural tourism events.