Cultural expo showcases capital's top traditions to Europeans

A photo exhibition featuring the history and folk culture of China's capital is being staged in Copenhagen this week to "further introduce the ancient city while extending an invitation to overseas visitors", organizers said.

In addition to the photo gallery, kung fu shows, Chinese drum performances, acrobatics, Chuan Opera and an exhibition on Beijing's intangible cultural heritage will also be presented as part of the ongoing Beijing Week event.

The aim of the event is to boost Beijing's inbound tourism and introduce more European visitors to the city, according to the Beijing Tourism Development Commission.

"We believe that the presentation and performances during Beijing Week will help better introduce Beijing and its local tourism resources to Copenhagen residents, and further advance the friendship between Beijing and Copenhagen," said An Jinming, deputy head of the commission.

The event is being hosted by the commission, the Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing, the Beijing Bureau of Culture and the city's external publicity office.

Bilateral relations between Denmark and China have been boosted further this year with ministerial visits.

Beijing's long history has blessed the city with world heritage sites including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven.

"As the world knows more about the city, more visitors will come to Beijing to explore it," said Yan Zhongqiu, deputy head of the Beijing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

The photo exhibition and other performances have so far been well received by local residents in Copenhagen.

Many recorded live performances and took pictures with senior intangible cultural heritage artists, including kite makers, musicians and artists making dough figures.

Among the performances, the popular Chinese folk song, Mo Li Hua, or the jasmine flower, has been wildly applauded.

zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn