There was a time when Baoshan District in northern Shanghai was belittled because of its remote location and relatively dull cultural atmosphere.
宝山区在上海市北部，地理位置偏僻，加上文化氛围淡泊，曾受到不少冷落。
But that changed 18 years ago when the Baoshan International Folk Arts Festival started, promoting traditional arts and culture.
但随着18年前宝山国际民间艺术节的开幕，宝山区的传统艺术文化得到弘扬，宝山区在人们心中的地位也大大提升。
Now in its eighth edition, the festival starts on October 15 this year with the theme of “Culture Makes A Better Life.”
今年，以“文化，让生活更美好”为主题的第八届宝山国际民间艺术节将于10月15日盛大开幕。
“This time, we cut a large amount of expense for opening ceremonies and other activities such as receptions in order to fully support grassroots cultural events for the public, ” said an official surnamed Zhao with the organizing committee.
艺术节组委会的一位赵姓工作人员说：“今年，我们在开幕和接待等活动上削减了大笔经费，为的是更好地为广大人民群众举办草根文化活动。”
Eight towns in Baoshan will have themed events featuring their own culture and tradition, double the number of the past years.
宝山区将有八个街镇举办展现各自文化传统的主题活动，活动数量比去年翻了一倍。
Every day during the festival, there will be performances in different communities, plazas and shopping malls. Foreign folk art troupes will perform at different schools in Baoshan from primary schools to colleges to heighten cultural communication. Activities and art exhibitions will number more than 200 this year.
艺术节期间，各街道、广场和购物中心每天都会举办丰富多彩的表演。国外民间艺术团体也将在宝山区的大中小学校献上精彩演出，促进文化交流。今年的文化活动和艺术展预计将达200余场。
Starting in 1995, the district has held seven festivals bringing together 1.5 million spectators and 99 culture and art troupes from 49 countries and regions. Nearly 2, 400 artists from all over the world have participated.
宝山区自1995年至今，已成功举办了七届国际民间艺术节，吸引了49个国家和地区的150万名观众、99个文化艺术团体近2400名艺术家的参与。
This year, Yuepu, an old town dating back to the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), features its famous Yuepu Gong and Drum folk tradition.
今年，始建于唐朝(公元618-907年)的月浦古镇将特别展示其著名的月浦锣鼓。
Going back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), peddlers in this old town walked through lanes and streets shouldering their goods and beating drums in their hands to attract customers. The diameter of the drum surface is 25 centimeters and 3.5 centimeters thick. It is covered with skin on one side and sounds clear and crisp but not very loud.
自清朝(1644-1911年)起，月浦当地的经商小贩们就挑着货担行乡串巷，敲击着手中的小鼓，吸引顾客出门购物。月浦锣鼓直径25厘米，厚3.5厘米，单面蒙皮，音量较小，但音色清脆。
In Yuepu, there are more than 10 drum troupes from children to seniors, and during the festival they will present charming folk music and make sure visitors are involved.
月浦镇现有10个鼓队，队里既有老人，又有儿童，艺术节期间，他们将向观众呈现一场场极富魅力的民间音乐，并和观众积极互动。
Other festival highlights include the Dragon Boat Culture Festival in Luodian Town. Luodian lies in northwest Baoshan in a tiny area of 2.32 square kilometers with a population of about 12, 000.
艺术节的另一亮点就是罗店龙船文化节。罗店镇位于宝山区西北部，面积仅有2.32平方公里，人口约12000人。
It has grown since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and has become known for its flourishing cotton and cloth business. During traditional Chinese festivals, the town is crowded with people taking part in temple fairs, often celebrating all night long.
罗店镇兴于明代(1368-1644年)，因其繁荣的棉布业闻名天下。每到中国传统节日，罗店镇总是挤满了赶庙会的老乡，庆祝活动常常彻夜不绝。
But the town’s most famous activity is dragon boat racing, a tradition of more than 635 years. During this year’s folk arts festival, visitors will not only enjoy an exciting competition but also be able to get close to the delicately crafted dragon boats.
但罗店镇最负盛名的活动还要数至少635年历史的赛龙船。今年的民间艺术节期间，游客们不仅将欣赏到精彩绝伦的龙船比赛，还能够近距离地观察到精雕细琢的罗店龙船。
Foreign folk art troupes from 13 countries such as Poland, South Korea and the United Kingdom will participate in the weeklong event, including 290 artists, which provides a great opportunity for locals to enjoy exotic folk arts and communicate and inspire with new ideas and developments.
来自波兰、韩国、英国等13个国家的国外民间艺术团体共290名国外艺术家将参加为期一周的文化活动，为当地居民欣赏外国民间艺术、交流新鲜想法和推陈出新提供了绝佳机会。
Woodcarving masterpieces by ingenious Maori artisans from New Zealand will be exhibited at Shanghai Baoshan International Folk Arts Exposition. Wood is carved into vivid sculptures reflecting New Zealand’s scenery, daily activities and figures from mythology. Maori carving is different from Chinese styles while they both have traditions of high artistic value.
新西兰毛利艺人的木雕佳作也将在上海宝山国际民间艺术博览馆上亮相。毛利人将木材雕刻成一件件栩栩如生的作品，有的表现了新西兰迷人的自然风光，有的展现当地人民的日常生活，还有的取材于神话中的各类人物。毛利木雕不似中国木雕，但二者都有着极高的艺术价值和历史价值。
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