Jinan participated in the "City Art Festival" International Cultural Exchange Event in Japan from May 15 to 18, at the invitation of the Oita Prefecture Government.

The Jinan Art Troupe brought a vibrant performance to Japan, combining traditional Chinese melodies with instruments like the guzheng, pipa, and erhu. Both sides exchanged ideas on innovating traditional music by integrating modern elements such as jazz and electronic sounds while preserving cultural identity.

The cultural exchange showcased the rich heritage of Jinan and the beauty of traditional Chinese music. It offered a captivating artistic experience for the local Japanese audience and helped deepen people-to-people ties through the shared language of art and culture.

Jinan also hosted a promotional event, highlighting the city's cultural and tourism assets. Inbound tourism routes and products featuring springs, cuisine, leisure, and cultural heritage were introduced. The event also explored new opportunities for international tourism cooperation between Jinan and Japan.

In 2021, Jinan, capital of Shandong province, and Oita Prefecture in Japan were jointly designated as the Culture Cities of East Asia for the year. The cities chosen as Culture Cities of East Asia use this project as an opportunity for continued development by taking advantage of their unique cultural characteristics to promote culture, the arts, creative industries, and tourism.

Jinan Art Troupe makes a performance at the "City Art Festival" International Cultural Exchange Event in Oita, Japan. [Photo/Jinan International Communication Center]

编辑：曹晓旭