Dances and dramas, including the global success of Ireland's Riverdance and China's folk dance drama Farewell My Concubine, kicked off the fifth China Shanghai International Arts Festival on Saturday.

Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng announced the opening of the arts gala with "joy after passing the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) test" in his opening remarks at Shanghai Grand Theater Saturday night.

"The arts festival serves not only as a cultural gala, but an artistic pageant bridging China and the world," said the mayor, who is also director of the festival's organizing committee.

The month-long festival will feature more than 150 performances, including symphony orchestras, dance, opera, acrobatics, magic and drama from home and abroad.

Other activities include an international piano competition, an international magic festival and competition, an Asia music festival, and an arts and crafts fair.

Hosted by the Ministry of Culture and sponsored by Shanghai Municipal Government, the China Shanghai International Arts Festival has been held annually since 1999.

(Xinhua News Agency October 20, 2003)