Kite festival opens in Weifang

The opening ceremony of the 35th International Kite Festival was held on April 21 in Shandong province’s Weifang city, known as the World Kite Capital.

More than 40 activities including kite flying competitions, exhibitions, performances, and economic and trade events will be held over the following 20 days.

Over 2,000 kite enthusiasts from nearly 60 countries and regions, including China, the United States, Germany, Poland and South Korea, are participating in the land kite flying and kite surfing.

Kites shaped like Pigsy and the “Monkey King” take to the sky during the 35th International Kite Festival. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Chen Jianquan, who has taken part in the annual festival dozens of times since his first arrival in Weifang 30 years ago, this year flew a 100-meter-long kite made up of 53 star-shaped smaller kites.Stunt kite flying, also known as aerial ballet, has been of great popularity in recent years. With special wrist and arm skills, the kites rotate up and down in the air, or form different shapes controlled either by a single person or by a group of people. Spectators always appreciate the display. Stunt kites can have two, four or multiple ropes.

A group of octopus kites fly high in the sky. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The International Kite Festival has been held annually in the city of Weifang since 1984. Sun Jiye, vice governor of Shandong province, attended the opening ceremony and said that the annual kite festival plays an important role in promoting the development of kite culture as well as domestic and overseas economic cooperation.

Various kites float in the air. [Photo provided to China Daily]