The Second Harbin Sino-Russia Culture and Art Exchange Week was unveiled in Harbin, Heilongjiang province on Aug 5, and is being hailed by organizers as an important boost to cultural communications and exchanges between the two countries.

The eight-day event, which aims to promote the two countries’ friendship and culture, will display the traditional cultures of the two countries through symphony performances, dances, acrobatics, art exhibitions, movies and TV dramas.

Up to 800 domestic and overseas artists, as well as performance groups from 12 Russian cities, are expected to attend the event.

It is the second time that such an activity has been held in Harbin –– a city with a long history of cultural exchanges with Russia, due to its location and unique culture.

The Harbin event serves as a bridge to facilitate cultural exchanges between China and Russia, while boosting Harbin’s profile, said Song Xibing, mayor of Harbin.

A Mongolian-style dance is performed at the opening ceremony of the Second Harbin Sino-Russia Culture and Art Exchange Week at Harbin Theater on Aug 5. [Photo/MY399.COM]

A traditional yangge dance (a popular Chinese rural folk dance) is performed to celebrate the opening of the Second Harbin Sino-Russia Culture and Art Exchange Week at Harbin Theater on Aug 5. [Photo/MY399.COM]

 Zhu Jun (L) and Dong Qing (R), both famous television hosts in China, host the opening ceremony of the Second Harbin Sino-Russia Culture and Art Exchange Week at Harbin Theater on Aug 5. [Photo/MY399.COM]