SHENZHEN residents will have affordable access to 37 shows during the upcoming Third China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industry Fair (ICIF) arts festival thanks to 3 million yuan (US$384,000) provided in the form of government subsidies.

Back row seats for the opening show next Wednesday - the Broadway musical "The King and I" - are available for as little as 100 yuan. Tickets to other shows are set at between 50 and 180 yuan, much lower than last year's prices of 200 to 300 yuan.

"The ICIF is a second 'business card' for Shenzhen after the China Hi-Tech Fair. It is the only large international cultural expo in China," said Mayor Xu Zongheng at a meeting yesterday.

The top 10 Chinese shows of last year, including stage plays, a ballet, a Beijing opera, an acrobatic show, a children's play and a dance performance, will be staged in Shenzhen between April and July.

A five-person troupe from the prestigious Eastman School of Music in the United States, whose performers include Shenzhen girl Zuo Zhang, will stage a concert during the festival.

Other shows during the season include a Buddhist music concert by the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, an acrobatic show by Fuyong artists and a Canton opera special night.

At yesterday's meeting, the city's vice Party chief Li Yizhen also proposed staging free shows for migrants.

"The city does not lack art fans, but many are intimidated by the sky-high ticket prices," he said.

The third ICIF, which will open May 17, will have nearly 40 forums and seminars, more than 10 art competitions and 10 auctions on the sideline of exhibitions in Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center and 17 subvenues.

So far, more than 4,100 overseas professionals have registered for the ICIF.

Editor: Yan