Chinese culture was put on show in Belgium at Shanghai Culture week, which began on November 20 in the City Hall of Antwerp, as a part of Europalia China Arts Festival.

A highlight was an evening musical performance, "The Legend of the White Serpent" performed by Shanghai Peking Opera Troupe, which was met with enthusiastic applause.

Other events included an exhibition about the 2010 Shanghai Expo, a symphonic concert with Yang Muhai as conductor, an exhibition about the Jelly Era (a term used to describe the era of the new generation of artists born in the 1980s), and a film screening project.

At the opening ceremony, Zhang Yuanyuan, Chinese Ambassador to Belgium, delivered a speech, commending the role of Shanghai Cultural Week in strengthening exchange between China and Belgium.

Janssens, mayor of Antwerp, and Yin Yicui, the Deputy Secretary of CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee unveiled the model of Belgium Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai Expo.

Shanghai Cultural Week moved to Rotterdam, Netherlands after it was concluded in Belgium.

Europalia China Arts Festival offers the European audience a unique opportunity to discover all aspects of Chinese culture and lifestyle from October 8th 2009 to February 14th 2010. The exhibitions and art performances follow four main themes: Immortal China, Contemporary China, Colorful China, and China and the World.

The Pekding Opera "The Legend of the White Serpent"