China sends delegation to DPRK's April Spring Friendship Art Festival

The 31st April Spring Friendship Art Festival kicked off on Wednesday in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea capital, Pyongyang. The event commemorates the DPRK's late founder Kim Il Sung, whose birthday falls on April 15.

China sends its delegation led by the director of the CPC Central Committee's International Department, Song Tao.

Chinese delegations have been invited to the festival several times previously.

This year, the National Ballet of China is bringing its classic work – "The Red Detachment of Women" – to the event.

A dancer performs on stage. /CGTN Photo

The production combines ballet and Chinese folk dancing, and portrays a bright and brave image of China's female soldiers during its civil and liberation war.

Artists from the troupe – including the lead dancer of the National Ballet of China – will also present "Giselle",

one of the greatest of all romantic ballets.

Cultural exchanges between China and the DPRK have increased over the past decade.

From as far back as 2008, art troupes from the DPRK have brought their best performances to China.

One of their most impressive works was the theatrical performance

"The Flower Girl".

It's a revolutionary genre opera based on a play DPRK founder Kim Il Sung wrote in the 1930s while imprisoned by the Japanese.

"The Flower Girl" is considered one of the country's five great revolutionary operas.

(CGTN)