The 2021 Chinese and Foreign Families' Drama Contest is held along with the launch ceremony for a citywide cultural festival in Nantong on April 26.[Photo/nantong.gov.cn]

A citywide cultural festival was launched in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, on April 26, aiming to attract people of all ages and from all walks of life.

The festival will run from April to October and consist of more than 1,100 activities themed around the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, including promotional events for Shanghai culture, a square dance competition, a popular music concert, a modern opera contest, a short video competition, and calligraphy and painting exhibitions.

The 2021 Chinese and Foreign Families' Drama Contest was held along with the launch ceremony for the festival.

Many families signed up for the contest with self-directed works featuring local folk songs, skits, Nantong Opera, song and dance medleys, and stage plays. Nine Nantong local families and one foreign family went on to the finals.

"I love singing and dancing. So I decided to take part in the contest when my parents told me about it," said Janet from the Philippines, who is currently attending Nantong Stalford International School.

"We had great fun performing on the stage," she added.