Good news for art lovers and foodies! If you want to experience Guangdong’s culture and food at its finest (Including opera, folk music, dance, shadow plays and yes, that world famous cuisine), and for free, well, here’s the event for you.
A series of cultural events and a food festival gathering will be held from June 9th - 14th in Shantou, to celebrate natural heritage day which falls on June 9th, according to a press conference held by the Guangdong Cultural Department last Friday.
The main venue is set to be Shantou’s Xiao Gong Yuan block, one of the landmarks representing Cantonese architecture and Chaoshan culture: the largest group of arcades (Qilou) in the country.
Xiao Gong Yuan block.
Arcades (Qilou)
During the festival, 15 groups will bring styles of music and opera from across the province including Cantonese opera, Chao opera, Hakka folk songs and puppet show to the stage every day. "It’s the first time that all these art forms have been brought to the same stage", stated Chen Hang, deputy director-general of the provincial cultural department.
Hakka folk songs.
Good news for foodies is that Food Festival will be held in Da Hao Gu Cheng in Shantou’s Haojiang District during the first two days (from June 9th to 10th). Chefs will follow time honored recipes to cook up Shantou-style fish balls and fish rice in a live show at the site allowing visitors to get a taste of real Chaoshan delicacies!
Over 20 additional themed events will be held in Shantou including live performances, exhibitions of creative folk art and photography, and a display of traditional crafts.
All these events are offered to the public FOR FREE.
Author: Sylvia
Editor: Olivia, Simon Haywood
