The grand parade on Mudanjiang Road on October 17 attracted throngs of residents to stop and watch. — Wang Rongjiang

FOLK artists from around the world descended on Baoshan District recently for a special “festivals within a festival” program of the 9th Shanghai Baoshan International Folk Arts Festival.

The one-week program kicked off on October 17 with a parade on Mudanjiang Road featuring traditional dance performances from Latvia, Scotland, Italy and China. Over 140,000 spectators turned out for the parade, said officials.

The festival was first organized by the Baoshan International Folk Arts Exchange and Re­search Center in 1995 with the aim of developing international cultural exchanges. This year’s main festival is scheduled to run through November 15.

More than 100 art troupes and about 3,000 artists from over 50 countries and regions have participated in the festival over the years.

This year’s “festivals with a festival” program featured dance and music performances along with folk painting, photography and craft events.

Pro Dance Elite Team from the US staged hip-hop, jazz and other American-style dances. Based in Illinois, the group regularly performs for the Chicago Bulls basketball team.

Ballet Folklorico Yaocuauhtli from Mexico showcased the country’s rich and diverse culture with its cheerful music and traditional dances. The McCann School of Irish Dance, from Scotland, also wowed audiences.

Apart from an extensive lineup of stage performances, the program also featured a series of exhibitions and hands-on events. Highlights included a dragon boat display at the Lake Meilan Art Gallery Square, a Yuepu Town Gong and Drum performance at Yuepu Middle School, and a “blow painting” show at the Yanghang Town culture center.

Altogether, 12 mini festivals added color to the larger extravaganza. The Poem Festival at Gucun Town provided a stage for amateurs verse writers. The Luojing Town Folk Culture Festival featured folk stage performances by both local and oversea artistic troupes. Mini culture festivals were also celebrated by residents in Miaohang Town and Zhangmiao Community, among several other locales.

(By Zhang Qian Shanghai Daily)