The 25th Pohang Ocean International Theater Festival opened grandly at the Pohang Arts Center in South Korea on August 26. The five-day art feast brought together five top theater troupes from South Korea, Vietnam and Singapore.

Singapore's Golden Microphone Children's Theatre will present "Jungle Adventures" and a children's opera based on the Ramayana myth on August 27 and 28 respectively. The performances perfectly blend laughter and adventure elements, making them especially suitable for Singapore's multicultural families.

Since its inception in 2001, the Pohang International Theater Festival has grown into an important international exchange platform for the Korean theater community. This year's lineup is particularly rich:

Opening Day (August 26): The Ulsan Theater Company's courtroom drama "The Balance" will explore the global hot topic of the climate crisis. Through the collision of human nature and desire, it will prompt the audience to think deeply about their survival choices.

Asian cultural fusion: Seoul 21st Century Stage Theater will perform "Forced Marriage," an adaptation of the work of French classical master Moliere. This comedy, which combines Korean sensibilities with modern aesthetics, has been performed over 100 times and won multiple national drama awards.

Vietnamese specialty plays: The Liyu Theatre Company's "The Mouse Daughter Got Married" explores the universal question of "Is the grass greener on other people's property?" in the form of a fable, combining humor and satire.

Singaporean artist Dr. Chua Shu Peng has been awarded the "Contribution Award" at the International Theatre Arts Exchange Awards, highlighting Singapore's significant role in Asian theatre exchange. Dr. Chua has actively promoted Asian theatre exchange for many years and has made significant contributions to building an international platform for the Pohang International Theatre Festival. This award is not only a recognition of his personal achievements, but also a testament to Singapore's active role in promoting cultural exchange across Asia.

For audiences in Singapore, such international theatre festivals showcase the unique charm of theatrical art from various Asian countries and allow us to see the influence of Singaporean artists on the international stage.