On November 8, a grand cultural celebration unfolded in Lishui — the 6th International Photography Symposium and the 2025 Lishui Photography Festival officially opened! Renowned photographers, scholars, and veteran artists from around the world gathered in this scenic city to witness an unprecedented visual feast rich in creativity and cultural depth.

Images courtesy of Lishui News Media Center

The Lishui Photography Festival, co-hosted by the China Photographers Association and the Lishui Municipal People’s Government, has been held biennially since 2004 and has now reached its 12th edition. In July, the “International Photography Symposium and Lishui Photography Festival” was successfully included in the Action Plan List of the Ministerial Conference on Dialogue of Civilizations, further enhancing its global influence. This year, the festival received 3,609 exhibition applications from across the world, featuring 64,516 works. Ultimately, 1,335 exhibitions and 18,531 artworks were selected — both record highs in the festival’s history.

At the opening ceremony, a vibrant outdoor performance combining “Art Parade + Fixed-Point Shows” transformed the entire city into a flowing stage. From the thrilling She ethnic “bench balancing” act, to the melodious Songyang opera, and the lively Mushroom Farmers’ Play, the array of intangible cultural heritage performances offered citizens an immersive cultural experience right at their doorsteps. Meanwhile, photographers from around the world captured these captivating moments, giving new life and expression to China’s traditional arts.

Images courtesy of Lishui News Media Center

Images courtesy of Lishui News Media Center

Images courtesy of Lishui News Media Center

Images courtesy of Lishui News Media Center

Images courtesy of Lishui News Media Center

This year’s festival, themed “Innovations Spark Possibilities” spans seven unique exhibition venues — the Lishui Photography Culture Center, Original Oil Pump Factory Park, Lishui Art Museum, Lishui Photography Museum, Guyan Huaxiang Art Center, Jinyun Xiandu Rock Cave, and Ha·Art Museum — creating a multifaceted visual journey through diverse spaces.

Images courtesy of Lishui News Media Center

One of the festival’s biggest highlights is the presence of Thomas Ruff, a world-renowned photography master. As a leading figure of the Düsseldorf School of Photography, Ruff is a pivotal name in the history of contemporary photography. His works are part of permanent collections at numerous top museums and galleries worldwide. During his visit to Lishui, Ruff will not only hold a major solo exhibition but also engage in symposiums and discussions showcasing his over forty-year artistic career and achievements. The 2025 Lishui Photography Festival will run until November 11, featuring a rich lineup of events including the 6th International Photography Symposium, Thomas Ruff’s special lecture and seminar, the China Photographers Association International Exchange Committee Meeting, the Zhejiang Photographers Symposium of the New Era, and a series of master classes and themed talks.
Some exhibitions will remain open until the end of November, while the longest-running showcases will continue through February 2026.