Zhaojun cultural festival opens in Hohhot

The opening ceremony for the seventh Hohhot cultural and tourism art festival for ethnic groups was held on July 8 in Hohhot, capital of Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

A series of ethnic dances premiered at the ceremony, which saw participation by performers from a total of 11 organizations, including Inner Mongolia National Art Theater, China National Ethnic Song and Dance Ensemble, and Guangxi Song and Dance Theater.

At the same time, the 18th Zhaojun cultural festival was also held, with 17 different activities taking place. The celebrations for the Zhaojun cultural festival included a music festival and several tourism festivals.

The Zhaojun cultural festival is an offshoot of the Zhaojun temple fair. Zhaojun, surnamed Wang, was known as one of the Four Beauties of Ancient China.

Born in Zigui county, Hubei province during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC - 8 AD), she was sent by Emperor Yuan to marry the Xiongnu Chanyu Huhanye in order to establish good relations with the Han Dynasty through marriage.

Nowadays, many cities hold the Zhaojun cultural festival to show national unity and cooperation between central plains and border areas.

The Hohhot cultural and tourism art festival for ethnic groups is a national-level festival gala involving dancing and various other activities to demonstrate national unity.

A group of performers dance during a performance of Horseback Symphony on July 8 at the opening ceremony of the Hohhot cultural and tourism art festival for ethnic groups in Hohhot. [Photo provided to China Daily]