Ethnic Minorities Art Festival: Ancient ethnic cultures come alive

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The ongoing National Ethnic Minorities Art Festival is in its final week. Artists from Xinjiang and Tibet have graced the stage here in Beijing.

Authentic yet modern, the performances combine ethnic traditions with new storylines and state-of-the-art technologies.

Avanti, the charming character out of Uygur folklore, travels to Beijing with his little donkey. But this time, he’s not just a cartoon figure, he’s a master acrobat.

Performed by Xinjiang artists, the show "Hello, Avanti" breathes fresh life into a well-loved tale at the National Ethnic Minorities Art Festival.

The performance includes acrobatics, a magic show, and folk song and dance, a real feast for the eyes.

While the Xinjiang production provides a modern take on an ancient theme, the artists from Tibet provide an authentic experience of ancient culture.

Uplifting songs, lively dancing, and vibrant costumes... The adapted Tibetan opera tells the story of a young Tibetan man, who tries to bring modernity to his homeland, overcoming obstacles and misunderstandings.

Hailed as "a living relic of traditional Tibetan culture", Tibetan opera boasts a history of more than 600 years -- about 400 years longer than China’s national treasure, the Peking Opera. It reflects the faith, passion and life of the Tibetan people.

Reporter: “During the month-long art festival, a total of 92 performances have been staged in nine theatres across Beijing. They’ve proved so popular, tickets have sold out a week in advance of many of the performances. The Beijing public are already looking forward to the next Ethnic Minorities Art Festival, as am I.”