The eighth “winter of Heilongjiang” international culture and arts festival started in Harbin, capital city of Heilongjiang province on Dec 1.

Harbin has a long history of serving as a platform to boost cultural communication and exchanges with countries in Europe due to its location.

The biennial event was initiated in 2003 and lasts for around three months, running through two important festivals in Northeast China –– New Year’s Day and Chinese Spring Festival.

The event features around 100 performances by art groups from the UK, Russia, Poland, Italy and Austria, as well as traditional operas, music and dances by Chinese performers.

Compared with previous events, this year’s festival will add ice and snow elements to promote winter tourism to the area.

A Beijing opera is staged in Harbin at the opening ceremony of the eighth “winter of Heilongjiang” international culture and arts festival on Dec 1.[Photo/Chinanews.com]

A Russian art troupe performs at the opening ceremony of the eighth “winter of Heilongjiang” international culture and arts festival on Dec 1.[Photo/Chinanews.com]

 An opera is performed in Harbin to celebrate the opening of the eighth “winter of Heilongjiang” international culture and arts festival on Dec 1.[Photo/Chinanews.com]