The 6th China International Folk Art Festival (CIFAF), a triennial international art and culture gala, started Saturday in the picturesque city of Huangshan, attracting nearly 500 professional and amateur artists from more than 20 countries, including China, Poland, Columbia, the Cook Islands, Mexico, France, Germany, Britain, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

Huangshan is a city known for mountain sight and a world cultural and natural heritage in east China’s Anhui Province. Various types of performances will be staged in the scenic spot and surrounding areas until Oct. 7, before moving to Beijing and Shanxi Province on Oct. 8.

Co-sponsored by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Huangshan municipal government, the 6th CIFAF is acclaimed as the largest ever in the country.

As a grand art carnival initiated by the federation in 1990, the previous festivals attracted more than 1,700 artists from 63 art troupes in 36 countries throughout the world.

Artists of great accomplishments in the field of folk art will be awarded the Art Achievement Gold Cup during the art and cultural festival. The Art Friendship Cup will also be awarded to art troupes for their excellent performances at the festival.

The festival is aimed to develop and promote exchange of folk art in various countries, enliven and enrich people’s cultural life, and enhance friendship and peace. 

(Xinhua News Agency October 2, 2004)