BEIJING, Sept 27: A month-long International Kite Carnival began in Weifang, Shandon province of China to further promote kite sports, inherit kite culture, and continue various cultural and tourism activities.
A large number of kite lovers from all parts of China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, United Kingdom, Philippines and other countries attended the opening ceremony at the Binhai International Kite Flying Field.
The Kite Carnival, to be continued till October 31, is a series of activities and national revelry around kites, including larger scale participation, more forms of cultural and sports activities, and more diverse forms of participation.
During the carnival, cultural performances such as the Farmers’ Harvest Festival, Gaomi Red Sorghum Culture Festival, (Shouguang) Judian Lake Wetland Music Festival, Qingyun Mountain Folk Culture Festival, Xiashan Lake Ecological Fishing Festival, Marathon Competition, Autumn and Winter Tourism Season Launching Ceremony, and College Student Tourism Art Season Award Ceremony through various methods such as Kite+Culture Festival, Kite+Concert, Kite+Food Festival, and Kite+Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition will be organized or held.
Four music festivals will be held, with renowned musicians and bands participating in performances.
The “Better Weifang Technology Promotion” large-scale music fireworks show is the largest kite festival fireworks performance since the first International Kite Festival was held in 1984, with a total duration of 45 minutes.
The traditional kite innovation tying competition will invite well-known kite artists to participate, and the producers of the mysterious bird in the movie “Fengshen” and the Shandong themed kite in the stamps of “Kite (III)” will be present in person.
During the carnival, themed kite flying performances such as modern kites, traditional kites, luminous kites, and giant kites was held on the opening dayl.
Among them, the 6-meter carp leaping dragon gate kite, the 20-meter soft kite Zhong Kui, the 15-meter old birthday star, octopus formation, and the four dragons playing with pearls showcased the unique charm of kites; Ten “Classic of Mountains and Seas” themed kites made their first public appearance at the carnival. At that time, the seaside thousands acre kite flying field presented a sea of kites.
Weifang City, famous as the capital of kites in the world mainly produces traditional kites and modern kites.
The traditional kite binding system in Weifang draws on the strengths of many families, especially in the shape, structure, and painting colors of kites.
The process of making wooden New Year pictures is transplanted to kites, and the traditional techniques of traditional Chinese painting are applied to the drawing of kites, forming a unique style of beautiful shape, fine binding, and bright colors, which has become an important school of Chinese kites.
Modern kites are made of modern new materials, with a unique design and structure.
They have high flying performance and strong dynamic feel, making them an important choice for fashionable sports in modern life.
Among the many popular modern kites in the world today, “Made in Weifang” holds a large proportion, such as luminous kites, surfing kites, stunt sports kites, and so on.
The kite industry is a competitive and characteristic industry in Weifang City, and an important industry and cultural support for Weifang City as the world kite capital.
At present, there are 717 kite enterprises and industrial and commercial households in Weifang City, with over 80000 employees. The annual sales revenue is over 2 billion yuan, and there are over 1000 varieties.
The products are exported to more than 50 countries and regions such as Europe, America, and Southeast Asia, accounting for over 80% of the domestic market share. In the international market, the share is as high as 85%, and the kite export volume ranks first in the world.