Sichuan Culture Week, a grand cultural gala to promote China's folk arts, has kicked off in the Egyptian capital Cairo with a performance by Yibin Acrobatics Troupe.

The cultural week is part of celebrations in six North African countries during the "Chinese Cultural Tour of North Africa".

China's Ministry of Culture is introducing Chinese culture to North Africa by organizing culture weeks, art performances at local art festivals and official visiting delegations.

Sichuan, with its rich cultural resources, is the only western province participating in the grand cultural event.

"Sichuan Culture Week" will last one month.

The programs are a combination of Chinese traditional and modern arts and have been well received by the local audience.

(CRI.com August 20, 2004)