WOW Beijing

WOW Beijing took place from 16–17 September 2017 at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, marking the first WOW in East Asia. The Festival brought together voices from across China to explore women’s rights, representation and empowerment through the lens of art, storytelling and public dialogue.

Organised by Fanscene Culture Communications in partnership with the British Council China, the festival was part of a month-long celebration that offered an open platform for Chinese women to share their stories, showcase their talents, and engage in meaningful discussion on gender equality.

Over two days, WOW Beijing featured more than 40 events including WOW Bites, Speed Mentoring, panel discussions, workshops, and a bustling WOW Marketplace. Topics ranged from sex education and women’s health, to entrepreneurship, parenting, fashion history, and the role of men in achieving gender equality.

A key feature was the visual art exhibition “Because…”, which showcased the work of renowned Chinese female artists including Ye Hongxing, Zheng Liyun, Wen Jing, Gao Sihua, Pan Yuliang, Zhao Mengge, Liu Meizi, Mobai, Xu Xin and Zeng Yanbing.

Six live performances accompanied the festival, from modern musicals to traditional Chinese drama. Highlights included Tsing Yi (a dance drama by Huang Yabin), The Lady from the Sea (a Henrik Ibsen play starring Chen Shu), and the Norwegian play Northern Lights.

WOW Beijing was also a key site for the Inspiring Women China and Spirit of Youth campaigns, which honoured outstanding women working across business, media, education and the arts.

In a rapidly changing cultural climate, WOW Beijing carved out space for joy, resistance, complexity and community – demonstrating the power of women’s voices in shaping China’s past, present and future.