KIEV, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Artists from central China's Hunan Province are participating in the 3rd Kiev International Youth Festival of Circus Art "Golden Kashtan," which kicked off in the Ukrainian capital on Wednesday.
The acrobatic troupe from Hunan Acrobatics Art Theatre is among dozens of participants, who came to the festival from 12 countries.
During the three-day festival, circus professionals and amateurs aged no more than 25 years old will give a total of 52 performances.
On the first day of the festival, the acrobatic troupe from China charmed the public with a stunning contortion performance. On Thursday, the young Chinese artists are due to demonstrate their famous hand-stand show.
Zhao Shuangwu, director general of Hunan Acrobatics Art Theatre, said her theatre has decided to participate in the festival to introduce Chinese arts and cultural features to Ukrainian public.
"It will help to strengthen cultural exchanges between the two countries. In addition, thanks to this platform, we can show the world the circus art and culture of Hunan Province," Zhao told Xinhua.
During the inauguration of the festival, Hunan Acrobatics Art Theatre has signed a memorandum with the National Circus of Ukraine and China's Cultural and Arts Center in Ukraine on promoting their cooperation and deepening the exchanges.
"Thanks to this, in the future we will be able to further promote the culture of China and Hunan Province in Ukraine," Zhao said.
Meanwhile, Lyudmila Shevchenko, director of the National Circus of Ukraine, spoke highly of the Chinese circus culture, saying it already enjoys popularity among Ukrainian young artists.
"The Chinese circus is considered to be one of the best circuses in the world. When Chinese actors come here, everyone knows that they will win the gold. It has always been the case. Now, our children are also learning and growing to this level," Shevchenko told Xinhua.
She said that Ukraine and China carry out frequent exchanges in the sphere of circus art, which helps the people of the two countries to better understand each other.
"This interpenetration of ties, friendship and learning brings the nations closer," Shevchenko said.
Founded in 1959, the Hunan Acrobatics Art Theatre has travelled to dozens of countries, introducing Chinese traditional culture and art to foreign audience and promoting friendships with the peoples of different nations.
