During last year’s “quality playlets to be performed in communities” activity, eight playlets from six areas along the Yangtze River were performed, including the Tibetan opera Blessings from Icefields, Hubei’s Han opera Playing Flower Drums and Qinghai’s Henan opera Hecatomb Pile. Residents in Zhangjiagang can now enjoy these wonderful performances in their communities every year.

Over the decade, more than 80 cross-area culture activities have been held during the Yangtze River Culture and Arts Festival. Several programs that reflect local cultures along the Yangtze River are being performed in all districts so that citizens can directly feel the artistic charm of the national and folk culture.

Since there are opportunities to perform with famous troupes from other cities along the Yangtze River, grassroot art groups in Zhangjiagang have become more energetic and enthusiastic in creating cultural works and participating in cultural activities. In 2010 and 2011, a large number of grassroots art groups gave performances at the Yangtze River Culture and Arts Festival. The festival has helped develop mass culture, raise public cultural consciousness, stimulate the production of local culture works, and develop numerous unique cultural groups.

At present, over 500 artistic works are produced at the grassroots level, and more than 4,000 programs have been organized. Up to 480 grassroots art groups exist, covering almost every main art form, such as drama, opera, music and dance. At the opening ceremony of this year’s Yangtze River Culture and Arts Festival, local art groups from Zhangjiagang together with folk culture groups from other areas along the Yangtze River will give special folk culture performances.