The 6th Asian Arts Festival
Updated: 2004-06-01

 Mission

For a long time in history, Asia, a land rich in natural beauty and resources, had witnessed great economic prosperity; Asian cultures, endowed with richness and diversity, had fostered many splendid civilizations; and Asian nations, with their shared mountains and waters, had long enjoyed dynamic friendly contacts. However, with the advent of modern age, Asian economies were plundered of their rich natural resources, Asian cultures were subjected to prejudices because of poverty, and Asian countries were severed from each other and made strangers by outside manipulations. Nevertheless, the Asian nations, with their geographical, historical and cultural linkage, are destined to come together again.

The dawn of mid-19th century saw the awakening and rise of Asia, as Asian nations broke away from foreign oppression one after another during and after World War II. Since the 1980s, Asian economy has experienced a rapid growth, and Asian nations have gained a deep self-awareness in culture in the process of national independence and economic development. Facing the surging influx of western culture along with capitals, science, technology and commodities, Asian nations have started to ask themselves: "What is the hallmark of a nation in the international community?" "Where are we from and where are we heading for?" In answering these questions, Asian countries have begun, in a more conscious way, to enhance mutual understanding and deepen friendship through cultural exchange, and at the same time to increase official cooperation and to maintain the national features of each country, so as to reverse the trend of marginalization of Asian cultures and lay a firm foundation for the sustainable development of Asia and the world.

The times call for a platform for Asian cultures and arts to be displayed, appreciated and studied in a comprehensive manner. It was right against this backdrop that the Asian Arts Festival was initiated by China in 1998. With a view to deepening the understanding and friendship between Asian nations through rich and varied cultural exchange, Asian Arts Festival (AAF) has set up its mission as "Enhance Understanding, Promote Friendship, Create New Glories, and Achieve Common Progress."

Entering the 21st century, Asian nations are facing many pressing challenges that require serious thinking. While some countries are putting large amount of human and financial resources to develop political ties, promote economic cooperation and deal with other prominent issues, the unique role and far-reaching impact of cultural exchanges in the friendly cooperation among countries has very often been ignored. While cultural products of western countries, backed by strong media technologies, are flooding the Asian markets, some people may not take the trouble to make comparisons between the true values of their native culture, which is nurtured in their own fertile soils, and those wrapped up inside fancy decorations. While some cultural entities of Asian countries are busy selling their most outstanding arts products in the far-away western countries, often at the expense of unreasonable low prices, to find some corners in the fastidious markets, the potential and growing cultural markets in the continent where we live has often been left unnoticed. To find solutions to this situation, Asian countries ought to deepen their understanding of the values and functions of Asian cultures and arts, and inject new energies to Asian culture and arts through both individual efforts and interactions. It is in this connection, that the 6th Asian Arts Festival has been bestowed a ringing theme - "Bring New Glories to Asian Arts".

The 6th Asian Arts Festival will be held in August 2004 in two cities - Beijing and Changchun, a city of Jilin Province in the northeastern part of China. An estimated number of 30 arts groups from nearly 20 countries will participate in stage performances, arts exhibitions and film screenings. Participating artists from these countries will have closer and broader contacts with the Chinese viewers in various activities, and the arrangements will better reflect the concept that cultural exchange is interaction of souls.

Artists from various countries, through performing on the same stage and interacting among themselves and between artists and the viewers, will feel the appeals and values of their own cultures and become fully committed to maintaining their national cultural identity.

At AAF, colorful performances will evoke fresh interests among Chinese audience towards the arts of other Asian countries. Performing arts agencies from various countries will have the opportunity to discover more productions of value and greater potentials will be unlocked and more channels explored for excellent Asian arts to be presented at the Asian and global market.

The 6th Asian Arts Festival will also provide opportunities for Asian companies, enterprises and organizations to increase their domestic and Asian visibility through sponsoring the festival or other means so as to play a greater role and exert greater influence in the booming Asian economic growth.

(1) The opening ceremony of the 6th Asian Arts Festival is scheduled on August 20, 2004 in Beijing. Invited to the opening ceremony will be China's state leaders, officials from the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, renowned artists, diplomatic corps in Beijing and governmental delegations from participating countries of Asia.

(2) The festival will feature "Asian Arts Exhibition" and "Asia in My Heart" exhibition in Beijing and "Japanese Flowers Kado" exhibition and "Changchun Film Festival" in Changchun City.

(3) The Jilin Festival of the 6th Asian Arts Festival will be inaugurated on August 23, 2004 in Changchun City, Jilin Province. Officials from the Ministry of Culture and Jilin Provincial Government will be invited to the opening ceremony.

(4) Open square performances and floats processions will be arranged in Jilin Province to ensure the audience a closer view of Asian arts and an opportunity to interact with the artists.

 Performances of the 6th AAF

Two joint performances, each team giving a performance of 5 minutes, will be presented at the opening ceremonies respectively in Beijing and Changchun. A number of renowned Chinese artists will also be invited to join the two performances.

Apart from the Opening Ceremony performances, there will be other joint performances co-produced by 2 to 4 visiting groups. Separate performances by a single group may also be arranged upon request.