Summer Cultural Festival kicks off in Pingyao ancient city

The annual Summer Cultural Festival began on July 21 in the ancient city of Pingyao, Northern China's Shanxi province. An opening ceremony in Yingxunmen Square, kicked it all off, and now a variety of activities are entertaining Pingyao citizens.

The festival has two parts: one dedicated to cool summer days in the city square, and another to cultural activities in the countryside. A youth singing competition, "the Voice of Pingyao", is the highlight of community activities in the city, which also include arts shows and public speeches. Meanwhile, the government will send a number of art groups to the countryside to give live shows.

After the opening ceremony, the first round of the "Voice of Pingyao" competition began. It attracted 160 young Pingyao residents both to watch and participate.

The festival is hosted by the Pingyao government — a joint effort by the Pingyao publicity department, the administrative committee of Pingyao ancient city and other organizations including the county's television station.

Zhang Guiqing, a member of the Pingyao standing committee of the National People's Congress and minister of its publicity department, and Wang Dongguang, deputy county chief, were the guests at the ceremony.