A 100-day arts extravaganza has raised the curtains in the Pudong New Area.

The 12th Pudong Festival of Culture and Art opened at the Pudong Culture and Arts Center on Tuesday with a string of activities.

They included a photography and painting exhibition chronicling Pudong's history; street performances by acrobats, magicians and dancers from the Bai ethnic group in Dali, Yunnan Province; and the opening musical "Goodbye Echo," based on stories from the Zhangjiang Science City.

Art lover Alisha (right) applauds the performance.

Alisha, of China's Uygur ethnic group, and her Dutch husband attended the opening musical. They live in the Lujiazui area.

"When my husband proposed to me, I asked him to settle down here in China because I didn't want to leave here," Alisha told Shanghai Daily. "I love Chinese art and culture. Everything, from drama to movies and artists, is great in China. It's irreplaceable."

Alisha said she favored Beijing and Shanghai because she feels there is a more open and inclusive spirit in the metropolises. "The cultural ambience of big cities like Beijing and Shanghai is awesome," she added.

Audience members wave neon signs.

This year's festival will be held through July 25, with more than 800 events on offer.

Ten art venues in Pudong will host 42 shows, including the classic "Swan Lake" ballet and the classic Kunqu Opera "Peony Pavilion," with ticket prices as low as 20 yuan (US$2.90) a show.

In addition, community cultural centers in 36 neighborhoods will work with over 7,000 galleries, museums, parks, shopping centers and folk cultural troupes to present performances.

Audience members take pictures before the performance starts.

Source:�City News Service