Young artists to gather for China youth festival

Young artists from around the world will perform at the sixth China International Youth Arts Festival scheduled from August 12 to 29.

Youth art troupes from China, the United States, Britain, Spain and other countries will stage classic musicals including "Cats" and dances like "The Peacock" in Beijing, Shanghai and four other cities during the festival, according to the host China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG).

A total of 253 cultural activities will be performed and carried out during the festival, according to CAEG president Zhang Yu.

Performances featuring Chinese historical stories and traditional Chinese folk arts will also be highlighted at the event.

The festival will provide opportunities for young artists from different backgrounds to exchange artistic ideas, said Zhang.

The annual festival was China's first government-led youth artistic gala initiated by the China International Culture Association in 2008.