Visitors will also have an opportunity to see the historic Henan cultural relics. The central province in China is considered the cradle of Chinese civilization and has the largest number of unearthed ancient sites in the country.

Thirty-seven foreign embassies in China will show their art collections at an exhibition in Zhengzhou from September 27 to October 8.

Artists from all over Asia will also display their drawings and sculptures at various exhibitions.

Pulcinella by the Israeli Modern Dance Company

The Asian Art Festival is one of the largest international art events in China. Since Beijing hosted the first art festival in 1998, nine sessions have followed in cities including Hangzhou in Zhejiang, Changchun in Jilin, Foshan in Guangdong and Nantong in Jiangsu.

A total of 141 art delegations from 30 Asian countries and regions have displayed various art forms at festivals over the past 10 years to an audience of nearly 10 million people.

This year is the first time the event to be held in the central region of China.

Organizers expect the event will showcase Henan's brilliant civilization and cultural progress and promote exchanges with Asian countries and regions.

(China Daily August 26, 2008)