Combining artistic performances, seminars and exhibitions, the Northeast Asia Cultural and Arts Week, held annually in Changchun city, Jilin province, has been highlighting cultural diversity and exchanges since it was started in 2010.

The cultural gala, co-organized by the Ministry of Culture and China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, features international orientation and high quality. Nearly 1,000 delegates from Northeast Asian nations, including government officials, scholars, artists and performers, have attended to the event over the last two years.

The event "has showcased local culture, promoted cultural exchanges among Jilin province and other parts of the Northeast Asia region, and enriched the cultural life of local residents", said one of the organizers.

Performance troupes from China, Russia and South Korea have altogether presented more than 40 shows at the last two events, which have brought authentic foreign charm to Changchun, where it mingles with traditional local Chinese culture.

More than 200,000 spectators have watched those shows.

In addition to artistic performances, the event has served as a platform for hundreds of cultural and art scholars to exchange views.

A number of forums and seminars were held during the cultural week of the past two years, with themes including shaman culture, the think tank of Northeast Asia, regional art exchanges and the development of cultural industry.

In addition, the cultural week also has brought about abundant business opportunities, where handicrafts, cultural products and projects are exhibited and traded along with the latest achievements in the cultural industries, such as movie and animation.

In cultural events during the last two years, nearly 60 cultural companies were involved in the trade and promotion of cultural products and projects. Contracts of many major cultural projects have been signed, totaling 6.58 billion yuan ($1.04 billion). And the contracts of cultural products are valued at more than 20 million yuan.

zhangzhao@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 08/27/2012 page10)