Dancers perform at the Shanghai Grand Theater as part of the Shanghai International Arts Festival, which kicked off on Thursdy, Oct. 18, 2007.--Xinhua Photo

The Dragon's Roar, a Chinese drum dance, kicked off the 9th China Shanghai International Arts Festival at the Shanghai Grand Theater last night.

The dance, an original work by the Chinese young dancers, manifested the essence of the Chinese culture and the people's aspiration for prosperity by interweaving drum in the dance as the pronunciation of drum and dance means "encourage" in Chinese.

Just like the dance, the arts festival is oriented to being original, innovative and conducive to promoting the cultural exchanges with the world, said Chen Xiaoguang, vice minister of culture at the festival's opening ceremony.

"The Shanghai Arts Festival has become a landmark event of cultural exchanges. It plays an important role in leading an innovative trend of Chinese cultural industries as well as the art education," said Chen.

The month-long festival, to be held till Nov. 18, will feature 55 performances, including symphony orchestras, dances, musicals and ballets from both home and abroad.

During the festival, at least 18 paintings and artifacts exhibitions will be held. Local people will be able to enjoy the famous paintings of Rembrandt and selected artifacts from Spain's Prado Museums.

The artists will be invited to some piano and singing competitions held in streets or schools so that ordinary people, especially children, can participate and enjoy it, said organizers.

Other activities include a piano concert by Grammy-winning Chinese composer Tan Dun with his critically renowned paper and water concertos and an e-arts festival on Friday.

Hosted by the Ministry of Culture and sponsored by Shanghai Municipal Government, the China Shanghai International Arts Festival has been serving as a cultural gala and an artistic pageant bridging China and the world annually since 1999.