The curtain rose for the 2009 Tianjin International Children's Culture & Art Festival at the Tianjin Grand Hall on Saturday evening.

A grand dance Meet in Tianjin by Cathay Future Children’s Art Troupe began proceedings and was later accompanied by dance troupes from the United States, Russia, Austria and other countries.

The festival, themed “Peace, Friendship and Future”, expects to attract art troupes from 40 countries and regions and more than 2,000 visitors from China’s 23 provinces, plus Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

Activities during the Festival include organized sightseeing, local cultural tours, an unveiling ceremony of the World Peace Wall, Meet in Binhai - World Children Celebration, the 5th International Children's Painting Exhibition and award show, art troupe’s performance and the 4th World Children’s Great Wall Climbing Race.

Foreign diplomats and top officials from the municipal government including Zhang Gaoli, Secretary of Tianjin municipal committee, and Huang Xingguo, Mayor of Tianjin, were also at the opening ceremony.

According to Huang, “The festival attracts children of different colors, ethnicities, and cultures gathered together with its colorful activities and serves as a platform for Chinese and foreign children to enhance cultural exchanges and friendship. Children across the world gather here which is an honor to Tianjin.”

The event occurs bi-annually and is sponsored by the Chinese Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Tianjin Municipal People’s Government.