The handpainting of (Zhangjiagang) Yangtze River Culture and Art Festival. LI MIN/CHINA DAILY

The 2018 Yangtze River Culture and Art Festival is set to kick off at Zhangjiagang – a port city along the Yangtze River in China’s eastern Jiangsu Province – with a host of cultural and art events, including the 6th International Humor Art Week and the 8th Yangtze River Drama Festival, from October 31 to mid-November.

The Yangtze is the largest river in China and considered to be the cradle of Chinese civilization. It cultivated Bashu culture, which can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period. Besides, Chu culture and Wuyue culture also prospered along the river.

Located at the southern bank of the Yangtze, Zhangjiagang is nourished with Yangtze River culture and dedicated to cultural and art development in recent years.

It’s the 15th year the city is organizing the festival, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up. The gala focuses on innovative creativity and the richness of the contents with the aim of creating a "platform of communication, integration, working together and sharing". To mark four decades of the magnificent changes and international vision along the Yangtze River, various events will be held, including traditional Jiangsu operas and symposiums covering topics like literature, culture and drama around the Yangtze River basin.

As an important element of the 2018 Zhangjiagang Yangtze River Art and Culture Festival, the 6th International Humor Art Week, from Oct 31 to Nov 3, will showcase the country's achievements in art since the launch of the reform and opening-up policy with the theme "Humor Enriches Life, Laughter Connects the World".

The performances will include 10 from the United States, Russia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Ukraine and Serbia, bringing magic and clown shows, and some 40 from China, including cross talks and Suzhou Pingtan. The Humor Art Week is jointly hosted by the Chinese Ballad Singers Association and the China Acrobats Association.