Two-month arts feast starts on Wednesday in Hongqiao

Over 150 concerts and art performances will be staged in communities or parks in Hongqiao area during an annual art festival over a two-month period starting on Wednesday.

Twenty-five foreign art groups from such countries as the United States, Russia, Germany, Israel, Australia, Denmark and Estonia will give performances for residents during Hongqiao Art Festival through to November 20, said Zhou Wei, deputy director with the culture bureau of Changning District.

One highlight is expected to come from renowned dancing groups from Australia and Spain and ballet dancers from Switzerland, who will perform in Zhongshan Park and at Tianshan Cinema in October.

Bands, including an Italian jazz band, will stage various concerts.

These international art groups will also perform to students at Changning schools.

Other activities during the festival including a competition of speaking the Shanghai dialect as well as a guide tour around the historic buildings designed by the famous Hungarian architect Laszlo Hudec.

Meanwhile, Jinshan District government yesterday announced the cancellation of an international music and firework festival on Jinshan City Beach.

Ticket holders will be refunded through their purchase channels, the Jinshan government said. No explanation was given for the cancellation.