The 8th China, Shanghai International Arts Festival was unveiled at Shanghai Grand Theater last night. The opening performance was Shanxi dancing drama" A handful of sour jujubes" which depicted a legendary story of a business family in Shanxi province.

Mr. Sun Jiazheng, minister of Ministry of Culture addressed the opening ceremony and said the China Shanghai International Arts Festival had become one of Chinese culture's most important brands.

A month-long festival will present 73 productions from 26 countries and regions, including renowned soprano Jessye Norman concert," Swan Lake" by the Australian Ballet, Ballet" A Midsummer Night's Dream" by The Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company, BBC Symphony Orchestra Shanghai Concert, dancing drama" Legend of Pandora" Chinese premiere and many more.

Some newly-created important productions from home will be staged during the festival, such as "Chinese national show and performance of great programs of musical, opera and dancing drama", Kunju Opera " The Handan Dream", large ¨Cscale Peking Opera" Concubine Mei", dance Gala" Shanghai Tango".

Furthermore, the "Mexican Culture Week" and "Inner Mongolian Culture Week" will be the best examples of harmony and blend of multi-cultures.

The mass cultural activities will attract more than 1.3 million visitors with the theme" Happy Shanghai, Harmonious Homestead".