The fourth Beijing International Canal Arts Fest opened on September 24 along the Grand Canal in Tongzhou, the historic waterway’s Beijing stretch, according to the organisers. The festival runs through September 27.

The event brings together 14 performing arts troupes from 13 countries for 22 performances. More than 150 Chinese and international artists and guests attended the opening ceremony, including acts from Albania, Cote d’Ivoire, Norway, Sweden and Turkiye.

Performers at the opening included China’s Rongxiang Sanxian Chamber Orchestra, FETNO from Bucharest, Norwegian singer Maria Arredondo and New Zealand singer-songwriter Luke Thompson.

A ‘Canal x Mid-Autumn’ themed bazaar ran alongside the festival with 60 stalls across three zones called Bites, Finds and Vibes. Organisers also launched 10 cultural walking tours of the Grand Canal area.

The festival is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and dedicated to preserving the Grand Canal as a living World Cultural Heritage site. It has been held four times since its launch in 2018.

The festival closes on September 27, wrapping up four days of performances along one of the world’s oldest and longest waterways.