An international cultural festival will be staged in this Jiangxi provincial capital this year with the showpiece the ancient Nuo ritual, the oldest known form of Chinese dance.

Set to run from June 11 to 15, the festival is sponsored by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Jiangxi provincial government and the Chinese Folk Writers and Artists Association.

The event aims to expand international cultural co-operation and exchanges and help preserve the Nuo which dates back more than 2,000 years, but today is on the verge of extinction as very few youngsters are interested in carrying it on.

Nuo ritual dances were originally performed during Chinese Lunar New Year holidays to expel evil spirits and pestilence.

In recent decades they have taken on a more theatrical role and are a means of entertainment and a medium for farmers to express their longing for good weather, a bumper harvest and family prosperity.

(China Daily February 16, 2005)