The grand opening of the 36th Macao Arts Festival took place in Macao, People's Republic of China.

As part of the opening ceremony at the Macao Cultural Centre, the State Dance Ensemble "Birlik," together with local creative groups, presented a concert program "Lotus on the Silk Road – Traditions in Motion." The event was held as part of the Cross-Cultural Year of Kazakhstan and China.

The concert was attended by the President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macao, Leong Wai Man, Deputy Director of the Department of Publicity, Culture and Sports of the Office of the Central People's Government of the PRC in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Bai Bing, Counselor and Director of the Department of Information and Public Diplomacy of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in Macao, Gao Yuan, Chairman of the Executive Committee of TDM – Teledifusão de Macau, S.A., Lo Song Man, Director of Corporate Communications at MGM, Serena Chin, as well as residents and guests of the city.

During the concert program, the "Birlik" ensemble presented large-scale stage productions to the audience, in which national choreography was harmoniously combined with modern elements of stage art.

In addition, as part of the festival, the State Dance Ensemble "Birlik" performed at four open venues in Macao, including city parks and avenues. Residents and guests of the city were presented not only with Kazakh national dances but also with dances of various ethnic groups residing in Kazakhstan.

The 36th Macao Arts Festival will run until June 27 this year.