The third China Folk Song Chorus Festival will begin on June 18 in Kaili, capital of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture, Guizhou province.

The five-day event, which is also to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the autonomous prefecture, will attract 4,000 chorus members from 97 troupes nationwide. Kaili is to be permanent host city of the festival.

The festival also aims to better preserve various types of folk songs in Qiandongnan, represented by Grand Song of Dong ethnic group, and other related intangible cultural heritages.

The first China Folk Song Chorus Festival was launched by the China Chorus Association in 2008, and it will become a biennial event in the future.