Art festival opens in Chengdu

Artists perform dance drama Shudao at the opening ceremony of the 14th China Art Festival in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on Thursday. [Photo by Peng Chao/chinadaily.com.cn]

The 14th China Art Festival kicked off on Thursday in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, and will run through the end of this year.

The opening ceremony, held at the Sichuan Grand Theatre, featured a performance of the original Sichuan dance drama Shudao (meaning road to Sichuan).

Founded in 1987, the China Art Festival is one of the country's largest national arts events held every three years. This year's event is co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Sichuan provincial government, and the Chongqing municipal government.

The festival will stage over 100 outstanding stage art works and 170 mass cultural works, while displaying some 1,000 calligraphy, photography, and painting works, according to organizers.

Artists perform dance drama Shudao at the opening ceremony of the 14th China Art Festival in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on Thursday. [Photo by Peng Chao/chinadaily.com.cn]

China's national awards for performing arts — the Wenhua Award for professional stage productions and the Qunxing Award for amateur artistic works — will be presented during the festival, the organizers said.

The organizers will also arrange candidate teams for the Qunxing Award to perform in scenic spots, blocks, and communities, while launching premium travel routes that integrate performances and art exhibitions with tourist destinations.

The festival's closing ceremony will be held on Nov 5 in Chongqing.