Folk art festival celebrates global cultures in Fujian

The 12th China International Folk Art Festival is offering audiences an art extravaganza in Anxi, Fujian province, from October 11 to 17, featuring artists from 12 countries and established art troupes from China.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, the folk art festival invites art troupes mainly from BRI partner countries, including India, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Many Chinese art groups will also stage their performances and communicate with their counterparts overseas.

The event is jointly organized by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the government of Fujian province. This year's theme is to "promote the spirit of the Belt and Road and create a shared future for humankind".

Most activities will be held at Anxi county in Quanzhou city, a coastal city that enjoys a long history and is the start place of the Maritime Silk Road. Anxi is famous and known for its tea industry. In ancient times, the tea produced here was shipped to cities across the world. The county also has a long history of tea trading and exporting, as well as cultural exchanges with cities outside China.

During the festival, various folk dances and folk music are being staged. Dances focus on traditional culture from different civilizations while music concerts will be more integrated with popular elements and genres.

From October 13 to 14, most shows will be performed at venues in Anxi. In the following two days, art troupes from home and abroad will go to perform at Quanzhou and Xiamen. Later, some will tour cities like Beijing and those in Shaanxi province.

Established in 1990, the folk art festival takes place every three years. It has enjoyed high reputation and is warmly supported by artists across the globe.

Until now, more than 170 national troupes of folk song and dance from 68 countries have participated in CIFAF in nearly 30 cities in China. The performances are staged in gymnasiums, theaters, public squares and parks, factories, schools and villages in rural areas. More than 1 million audiences have visited the festival.