The China National Dance Festivaland Dance Art Exposition will be held from April 28 to May 18 in Kunming,capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province.

Bai Shuxiang,Chairwoman of the Chinese Dancers'Association,said in Kunming today that the event is themed to popularize the artof dance and promote international exchanges in the field.

Included in the 20-day event are a variety of dance performances,dancing competitions and seminars on the art.

Meanwhile,an open-air carnival,an exposition on dance-related products,and a competition for foreign fans of Chinese dance willbe held.

Tan Meilian,director of Dance Magazine,said that Yunnan,the location of the festival,is home to 26ethnic groups and rich in art resources.

Domestic and overseas dance lovers will experience colorful ethnic dancing and singing,she said.

The festival will be jointly sponsored by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Chinese Dancers'Association.

(eastday.com March 20, 2002)