On Wednesday, the Third Beijing International Canal Arts Fest commenced at Funstown in Chaoyang District, Beijing to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Grand Canal’s inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List and the successful nomination of Beijing Central Axis for the same honor.
The opening ceremony was graced by local tourism officials, diplomats, representatives from cultural centers and tourism offices in Beijing, tourism industry professionals, and both domestic and international artists, who all gathered in Beijing to taste China and share the profound essence of canal cultures and the vibrant tapestry of canal arts across nations.
This exhibition not only showcased the beauty of Beijing Central Axis and the Grand Canal but also highlighted the diversity and interconnectedness of global canal cultures, inspiring the distinguished guests to exchange insights and marvel at the charm of global canals.
The guests also explored the international canal-themed culinary market, offering a delightful array of dishes from countries along canals. The aromatic food stalls served as a perfect illustration of the richness of canal cultures.
During the opening ceremony, an immersive interactive presentation on canal tourism uniquely unfolded. A Beijing youngster serves as a “Little Guide to the Central Axis and the Canal” to lead Tatty, a visitor from Moldova. Through real-time exploration and interactive behaviors, he has showcased the distinct allure of Beijing Central Axis and canal culture to the world, and welcome the worldwide tourists to Beijing for these attractions.
During the artistic performance, various artists, including China’s Torch, Thailand’s Siam Smile, Switzerland’s Sophie De Quay, French musician Djang San, and Mexico’s Bola Suriana Band, delivered captivating performances for the audience. Each performance represents a celebration of the diversity of world canal cultures and vividly interprets the theme of the Fest: “Explore Canal Culture and Revel in Global Art Extravaganza”.
The Third Beijing International Canal Arts Fest will last until Friday, which is totally free to the public, especially at the perfect moment of National Day. Artists from 13 countries, including Germany, Switzerland, France, Greece, the UK, Russia, Australia, the USA, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Thailand, and Italy, will be staged to promote Beijing’s traditional foods and creative canal products to the world and build a platform for global canal cultures.