KUNMING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 1,000 artists from 26 countries in Asia participated in an art festival that opened in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, on Wednesday.

In addition to performances, the week-long festival also features a dance development forum, art and photo exhibition, and folk craft show.

The festival features art from China, Thailand, Cambodia, India and Malaysia and some other countries, with various styles of dancing, music, drama, acrobatics and folk singing performed on stage.

The dance forum will focus on the development, creation and exchange of different styles of dance among countries and ethnic minorities in Yunnan.

In addition, nearly 100 sculptors from 14 countries will bring over 300 pieces of art works made from bronze, ceramics, wood, stone and jade to the festival.?