International dancers from 11 countries to meet in Xinjiang

As most of China enters a period of hottest days in summer, an international dance festival to be held in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region will further "heat up" the atmosphere.

The 6th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival will kick off in Urumqi on July 20 and last until Aug 5, according to a news conference held in Beijing on July 11. The 17-day event will feature 60 performances, including ballet dance dramas and folk dances, from 11 countries.

Xu Ruijun, secretary of the Party leadership group of the Culture and Tourism Department of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, introduced the event at the conference. He said the festival focuses on a theme "Silk Road and Cultural Exchange" with a highlight on Chinese culture.

Both creative cultural products and classic works will be put on stage, such as the popular dance drama Only Blue and Green and the well-known ballet dance drama The Red Detachment of Women.

To let more people enjoy the event, Xu said a series of supporting activities will be held during the festival, including fashion shows, street dance performances and folk dance exchanges.

The festival also introduced measures to benefit the people, such as tickets with discounts and charity sessions.

Shi Zeyi, deputy director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said the festival has been held five times and has become an influential cultural exchange platform since it was launched in 2008.

"It will promote Xinjiang's literary and artistic creations and enhance the international influence of Xinjiang's culture and art. Meanwhile, the festival will further strengthen exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations."