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National flags of different countries have been raised to usher in the 8th Baoshan International Folk Arts Festival.
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There was a time when Baoshan District in northern Shanghai was belittled because of its remote location and relatively dull cultural atmosphere.
But that changed 18 years ago when the Baoshan International Folk Arts Festival started, promoting traditional arts and culture.
Now in its eighth edition, the festival starts on October 15 this year with the theme of “Culture Makes A Better Life.”
“This time, we cut a large amount of expense for opening ceremonies and other activities such as receptions in order to fully support grassroots cultural events for the public,” said an official surnamed Zhao with the organizing committee.
Eight towns in Baoshan will have themed events featuring their own culture and tradition, double the number of the past years.
Every day during the festival, there will be performances in different communities, plazas and shopping malls. Foreign folk art troupes will perform at different schools in Baoshan from primary schools to colleges to heighten cultural communication. Activities and art exhibitions will number more than 200 this year.
Starting in 1995, the district has held seven festivals bringing together 1.5 million spectators and 99 culture and art troupes from 49 countries and regions. Nearly 2,400 artists from all over the world have participated.
This year, Yuepu, an old town dating back to the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), features its famous Yuepu Gong and Drum folk tradition.
Going back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), peddlers in this old town walked through lanes and streets shouldering their goods and beating drums in their hands to attract customers. The diameter of the drum surface is 25 centimeters and 3.5 centimeters thick. It is covered with skin on one side and sounds clear and crisp but not very loud.
In Yuepu, there are more than 10 drum troupes from children to seniors, and during the festival they will present charming folk music and make sure visitors are involved.
Other festival highlights include the Dragon Boat Culture Festival in Luodian Town. Luodian lies in northwest Baoshan in a tiny area of 2.32 square kilometers with a population of about 12,000.
It has grown since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and has become known for its flourishing cotton and cloth business. During traditional Chinese festivals, the town is crowded with people taking part in temple fairs, often celebrating all night long.
But the town’s most famous activity is dragon boat racing, a tradition of more than 635 years. During this year’s folk arts festival, visitors will not only enjoy an exciting competition but also be able to get close to the delicately crafted dragon boats.
Foreign folk art troupes from 13 countries such as Poland, South Korea and the United Kingdom will participate in the weeklong event, including 290 artists, which provides a great opportunity for locals to enjoy exotic folk arts and communicate and inspire with new ideas and developments.
Woodcarving masterpieces by ingenious Maori artisans from New Zealand will be exhibited at Shanghai Baoshan International Folk Arts Exposition. Wood is carved into vivid sculptures reflecting New Zealand’s scenery, daily activities and figures from mythology. Maori carving is different from Chinese styles while they both have traditions of high artistic value.
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