Weeklong art exhibit showcases children's art

Children learn how to paint with Chinese brushes at the Beijing international Family Art Week. [Photo provided to China Daily]

This year's Beijing International Family Art Week, held by the Beijing Women's Federation and co-organized by the Algerian, Egyptian, Russian embassies in Beijing, is being held this week and will last until May 30.

The weeklong exhibition, called "Let Art Talk", presents paintings from foreign children living in Beijing that describes what the capital and the world look like through their eyes. It also showcases exotic artworks from Algeria, Egypt and Russia, as well as artisanal handicraft from Beijing. Families can take part in outdoor activities, such as face painting, calligraphy performances, singing, dancing and stage plays.

Thousands of people attend the exhibition this year. Ramadan Deva, who is from Albania and has lived in Beijing for 15 years, said he takes his family to the event every year.

"I want my children to learn the importance of family," he says. "They would like to come, because they can see many different cultures and play with children from different countries."

Ma Lanxia, chairman of Beijing Women's Federation, says this art week is held to celebrate International Day of Families in Beijing.

"The family is the foundation of social civilization. Family happiness, social harmony and the advancement of our civilization are our common aspirations," she said.