An Italian culture week started Saturday at the International Horticultural Garden in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province.

The culture and folk arts week is part of the ongoing Year of Italy activities in China.

At the opening ceremony, hundreds of tourists watched a stilt dance drama performed by a 15-member national singing and dancing troupe from Italy. The tourists also enjoyed a photo show from Venice.

According to Antonio Baitoli, culture counselor of the Italian embassy in China, a jazz band would perform at the Liaoning Theatre as part of the week's cultural exchange activities.

(Xinhua News Agency May 8, 2006)