The First Shanghai International Arts Festival will open on November 2. Approved by the State Council, the Festival is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and organized by the Shanghai Municipal Government.

According to Jin Binghua, deputy-director of the organizing committee, the Festival aims to promote international cultural exchanges and there will be over 30 performances.

Many well-known groups and artists from around the world will take part in the festival which runs until December 1, an official of the organizing committee said.

An international Trading Fair will add to the splendor of the Festival and a website to book tickets was opened 11 days ago. Many tickets have already sold out.