Artists from around the world are emerging from the long winter for this year's spring tours. French artists are once again in the spotlight, with the annual China-France Cultural Spring, also known as "Croisements", starting in April.

Sylvie Bermann, the new French Ambassador to China, who took up her position just two weeks ago, announced the sixth year of this annual event on Thursday.

183 activities, ranging from dance, opera, music, exhibitions, circus acts and interactive performance, will be held in 25 Chinese cities between April 7th and June 30th - making this year's event the largest ever.

Headlining the program is the first Baroque Music Festival, featuring three representative forms from the palatial and graceful 16th century period. Croisements will also feature the seventh Jacobins Piano Festival; two cooperative stage dramas; and the second Caochangdi Photospring - Arles in Beijing, which is a transplant of the 40 year old internationally prestigious photography festival in France.

The newly inaugurated French ambassador expressed the thinking behind the event.

Sylvie Bermann, French Ambassador to China said "Our major audience is youngsters, because "innovation" is the theme of the festival. We're putting on a lot of modern and contemporary pieces. We hope they will be impressed by the sensation of French culture and art, and they will pass it on to their friends and family."

Feng Ying, director of China's internationally renowned National Ballet, spoke about their cooperative project.

Feng Ying, Director of National Ballet of China said "The National Ballet of China has played an active role in this event over the past five years. This time round we will present two graceful performances which are collaborations between renowned dancer and choreographer Manuel Legris and Patrick de Bana, and our A cast dancers. I assure you that the two performances will be overwhelmingly wonderful."

The China-France Culture Spring will be unveiled in Beijing on April 7th, with Panorama, the 8th French Film Showcase. It will then be extended to Chengdu, Shenzhen and Hangzhou. Ten feature films and 11 short movies will be screened.

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