The 16th China International Youth Arts Festival and the 13th Zhongguancun International Youth Art Festival opened in Minzu Theatre of China Ethnic Song &Dance Ensemble in Beijing on June 11.

With the theme, "the Sea of Youths", the event was jointly held by China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG) and Haidian District Bureau of Culture and Tourism under the guidance of Bauhinia Culture Group and Haidian District People's Government.

Several officials jointly announce the opening of the 16th China International Youth Arts Festival and the 13th Zhongguancun International Youth Art Festival in Beijing on the night of June 11.

The opening ceremony was attended by Zhang Ge, secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Committee of Haidian district; Xue Lijun, deputy general-manager of Bauhinia Culture Group; Li Jinsheng, party chief and chairman of the CAEG; Liu Changli, director of Haidian District People's Congress Standing Committee; Liu Yong, chairman of Haidian District Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); Wang Hongtao, vice-director of Beijing Culture and Tourism Bureau; Yang Renquan, deputy Party secretary of Haidian district; and Qi Huichao, member of the Standing Committee and head of the Publicity Department of Haidian District CPC Committee.

Qi Huichao, member of the Standing Committee and head of the Publicity Department of Haidian District CPC Committee, addresses the opening of the 16th China International Youth Arts Festival and the 13th Zhongguancun International Youth Art Festival in Beijing on June 11.

Li Jinsheng, party chief and chairman of China Arts and Entertainment Group, addresses the opening of the 16th China International Youth Arts Festival and the 13th Zhongguancun International Youth Art Festival in Beijing on June 11.

Wang Hongtao, vice-director of Beijing Culture and Tourism Bureau, addresses the opening ceremony of the 16th China International Youth Arts Festival and the 13th Zhongguancun International Youth Art Festival in Beijing on June 11.

The opening ceremony also brought together corporate representatives from Haidian High-tech Industrial Area, the representatives of college students and outstanding youths of all social sectors, and young artists from home and abroad.

Young performers present an original cabaret show, titled "the Sea of Youths", at the festival event.

At the beginning of the festival, young people presented an original cabaret show, "The Sea of Youths", to show efforts made by youths in Haidian district to grasp development opportunities in the new era.

Photo taken on June 11 shows a recitation given by performers from the National Theatre of China and youths from Haidian district at the festival.

Performers from the National Theatre of China and youths from Haidian district jointly gave a recitation of "We are Ready to Make China Strong" to fully showcase the sense of mission and responsibility shouldered by young people in Zhongguancun.

A costume show is held at the festival event.

A costume show, whose inspiration came from the "Three Hills and Five Gardens" (a cluster of royal gardens from the Qing Dynasty), was staged to present an artistic feat imbued with traditional Chinese culture and modern elements.

A ballet show titled, "Military and Civilian Celebration" is presented at the festival.

Performers from National Ballet of China (NBC) presented a ballet show titled "Military and Civilian Celebration," which further bolstered the resolve of young people in remaining true to original aspiration and carrying forward revolutionary traditions and asked the public to learn more about revolutionary stories.

Performers present their show at the festival.

International students at Beijing Language and Culture University present a recitation of classical Chinese poem titled "On the Stork Tower" at the festival.

A Russian chorus presents its show of Katyusha at the festival.

French singer Laurent Ban gives a performance at the festival.

Shang Shang, former head of Peking University Chorus and champion of World Choir Games, renders a song at the festival.

The China Broadcasting Chorus gives a performance of "Starry Sea" at the festival.

Soprano Wang Li gives a performance at the festival.

Soprano Wu Bixia sings at the festival.

A group photo of performers at the festival

 
The festival will run till this August. With the participation of outstanding performing groups from 10 countries and regions, 16 prestigious universities and 32 industrial zones as well as famous sci-tech firms, it consists of four thematic chapters, 16 programs and 21 specific activities.

A collage photo shows participants at the festival.

More specifically, the festival comprises costume shows, university-based chorus performances, sci-tech sharing and world-class concert, presenting a fantastic picture of the combination between arts and technology, traditions and fashions, inheritance and innovation, Chinese and international elements.

A thematic poster in commemoration of the 20th founding anniversary of China Arts and Entertainment Group.

The 16th China International Youth Arts Festival is one of series events in commemoration of the 20th founding anniversary of the CAEG. Noting that the CAEG is one of the first batch of cultural companies in the pilot reform, Li said that it has remained true to its founding mission. It played a unique role in the innovation-driven and internationalized development of traditional culture, strengthened cultural exchanges between China and other countries, and facilitated mutual learning as well as trust between people worldwide and between the civilizations of different nations.

Li Jinsheng, Party chief and chairman of China Arts and Entertainment Group, is interviewed on the sidelines of the festival.

The China International Youth Arts Festival is the first State-level platform dedicated to the promotion of multilateral cultural exchanges between youths across the world. The Zhongguancun International Youth Art Festival is a cultural and sci-tech event that has made full use of local cultural and sci-tech resources to underscore the vitality, innovation, the observation of revolutionary traditions, international development and outstanding performance of youths in the district.
Li said that the concurrence of the two festival events is a concrete action to serve and guide young people, pool their strength and provide them with a valuable opportunity to showcase their positive image in the new era.

A thematic poster of the 16th China International Youth Arts Festival and the 13th Zhongguancun International Youth Art Festival

Since its establishment in 2011, the Zhongguancun International Youth Art Festival has grown into a competent platform dedicated to protecting cultural rights and interests of youths in Haidian, promoting cultural exchanges between youths in high-tech sectors, and fostering cultural products with international vision and local features.

Performers give a show at the festival.

During the past years, Haidian has closely followed spiritual and cultural demands of young people, further bolstered the motivation of domestic and international college students, young backbone forces in enterprises, and young workers in international organizations. It has raised their sense of belonging and identity through the organization of the Zhongguancun International Youth Art Festival.