Asian Cultural Ministers' Forum

As a follow-up to proposals by Wen Jiaobao, Premier of P. R. China, during the ASEAN 10+3 Summit in Nov. 2004, the Asian Cultural Ministers' Forum will be held during the 7th Asian Arts Festival. The theme, contents and related matters of the Forum will be provided soon.

Opening Ceremony and Reception of the 7th Asian Arts Festival & the 9th Guangdong Arts Festival

The opening evening gala performance, set to bear the distinctiveness of Asian cultures, will feature "oriental identity, Chinese image and Lingnan flavor", give prominence to "Colors of Asia" in style, theme and atmosphere and celebrate the grandness, diversity and modern dynamism of Asian cultures with memorable roles and stories. Also on the opening day there will be a grand reception for governmental cultural officials, diplomatic envoys, art groups and artists to communicate the hospitality and friendliness of the Chinese people.

"Joyful Asia" Carnival-parades and square performances

All the participating art groups and artists from Asian countries will be invited to present parades and square performances with professional and amateur troupes from China in 5 districts of Foshan. Parades include stops with relatively long performances to showcase the cultures of 2-3 countries respectively.

Theater shows (about 20 in total)

Special performances: world-renowned Asian art forms, art groups and artists will be staged in special shows;

Joint performances: art forms and art groups with strong oriental flavor, such as the Chinese Kunqu and other "Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" will be jointly performed;

Special performances for the Asian Cultural Ministers' Forum: the performances will be mainly composed of selected Guangdong art works with exquisiteness, royal court flavor and Lingnan culture and be concluded with "Asian Capriccio", an adapted composition of famous music pieces of all participating countries.

Seminars and Symposiums

Seminars or symposiums will be organized for heads of the art groups or prominent cultural and art scholars of participating countries. Artists are invited to elaborate on their ideas and perceptions on how to maintain and develop the features and advantages for Asian cultures and arts at the time of economic globalization.

Establishment of commemorative monuments for Asian art

A bidding for pottery sculptural designs, which showcase the diversity of national, ethnic and folk art expressions of Asian countries, will be extended to Asian countries. The monument will be jointly inaugurated by participating cultural ministers simultaneously with "Asian Arts Commemorative Forest" tree planting.

Exchanges and Exhibitions

1) Asian Pottery Exhibition and Pottery-making Camp for Asian Youths

2) Special Exhibition of Asian Paper-cutting and New Year Pictures & on-site performances

3) On-lake Lantern and Lamp Exhibition by Foshan city

4) Asian Gourmet Festival (initiated by Tourism Departments in Guangdong and Foshan city)

Popular Concerts

China, Japan and Korea popular concerts will be jointly held by popular singers of mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan regions as well as famous celebrity Tanimura Shinji of Japan.

Visits

1) Diplomatic envoys of Asian countries and delegates from business and cultural agencies will be invited to attend the festival, visit local infrastructures and industrial areas and take part in networking activities such as roundtable talks. Participating artists and diplomatic representatives will be invited to visit historic relics, tourists resorts and scenic spots in Foshan and other cities in the Pearl River Delta;

2) Overseas Chinese in Asian countries, particularly those who descended from Guangdong province, are invited to return to their hometown to enjoy the festival, conduct economic and cultural investigations and negotiations so as to further strengthen the economic and cultural cooperation between their resident countries and their origin country.

Closing Ceremony Performances and Reception

The Closing Ceremony performances and reception will be held sequently.