Liaoning capital hopes to enrich locals', visitors' lives through shows in picturesque district

An annual musical gala is entertaining thousands of local residents in Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's Liaoning province, as part of local authorities' efforts to enrich people's cultural life.

The Hunhe River Symphony Festival, now in its third year, is offering free performances from May 20 to 27 at the Shenshuiwan Park in the city's Heping district.

Local authorities in the district, together with the China Art Festival Foundation, started the event in 2015 to offer residents a chance to learn about Western music and expand their musical tastes, earning praise from local residents.

The opening performances at the park's Yunyang Pavilion on May 20 attracted more than 3,000 spectators.

Musicians from the Shenyang Conservatory of Music performed pieces in praise of the city like Hunhe Summer and the world-renowned Blue Danube.

A spectator surnamed Liu told China News Service that all his family members are music fans, and that the music plus the Chinese-style pavilion and the beautiful environment offered them a stunning experience.

Besides, several other art troupes including those from Northeastern University, Shenyang Normal University as well as some middle and primary schools in Heping district are presenting their shows.

The music gala is one of the cultural and art events in Heping district that follows the malus flower festival and the rape flower festival.

After the symphony festival, the authorities are planning to hold more colorful events to build the district's cultural brand and image.

Of them, the Hunhe River Cultural Season will also be held at the Yunyang Pavilion in the Shenshuiwan Park. Covering 700 square meters, the pavilion can serve as a venue for professional performances and is also a popular hangout for local people.

The cultural events are designed to enrich people's lives, encourage a deeper appreciation of art and make them feel happier, according to officials at the Heping district.

Heping is the only district in the city that the Hunhe River runs through, and authorities are stepping up their efforts to make the most of the river's history and culture in hopes of building the area into a fashionable and artistic place offering cultural experiences.

So far, some 700 events have been organized in Heping district's parks along the Hunhe River, attracting more than a million participants.

Earlier this year, a society dedicated to Hunhe River studies was established in Heping district, and a book series on the river is coming out.

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(China Daily European Weekly 05/26/2017 page19)