Jews in Shanghai, which costs more than 10 million yuan to produce, tells the tale of Jewish refugees seeking shelter in the city during World War II.

The 17th China Shanghai International Arts Festival (CSIAF) has given priority to original productions while encouraging international talents to join hands with local artists. The festival is an annual celebration of performing and visual arts that has been held since 1999. This year, CSIAF runs from Oct 17 to Nov 16, featuring 46 performances and 10 exhibitions, more than half of which are from overseas.

In the past years, CSIAF featured opening shows from internationally recognized companies such as Mariinsky Ballet of Russia, Bejart Ballet Lausanne of Switzerland and the Royal Opera House from Britain. This year, two original productions from Shanghai were given the honor.

Jews in Shanghai, which cost more than 10 million yuan ($1.57 million) to produce, is a musical about Jewish refugees seeking shelter in Shanghai during World War II. It is written and directed by Xu Jun and produced by HYX Theater Company, a new establishment by Hengyuanxiang Co Ltd, a highly reputable Shanghai-based textile and clothing producer.

“They could have chosen a play of greater profitability, yet the company chose a subject like World War II because it is an important page in the city’s collective memory of taking in more than 30,000 Jewish refugees during the war, and living through the hard times together,” said Liu Wenguo, artistic director of CSIAF.