Preparatory Work for Weifang Kite Competition of 34th Weifang International Kite Festival Achieves new Breakthroughs

Since the city’s kite-making innovation work conference, which was held on March 9th, leaders of all counties, county-level cities, districts, development zones, municipal departments, and enterprises and institutions have attached great importance to this year’s kite-making innovation work, and completed the task well on innovation of kite-making. Judging from the registration situation, this year’s kite-making work has made new breakthroughs. A large number of featured kites and innovative kites will be seen in this year’s kite competitions. The number of registered teams will reach 90, of which 15 are in the county, district (development zone) group, 33 are in the municipal departments group and 42 are in the enterprises and institutions group (including mass flying teams), with 976 participating kites, more than 1,000 participating athletes and referees. Compare with the previous years, the amounts, types and quality of participating kites will be upgraded. The following three characteristics can be concluded on this year's Weifang Kite Competition:

Firstly, the rich and colorful kite themes, which fully demonstrates the characteristics of  local, industrial and folk customs. Such as "Dragon-fly with Gems" from Changle, "Linqu Scenery" from Linqu, "Hometown of Chinese Chess " from Gaomi, "Zhucheng Dinosaurs" from Zhucheng, "Dragon Fly Over Yueyunmen" from Qingzhou, "Xiashan Sign" from Xiashan, "Shouguang Vegetables" from Shouguang, etc.

Secondly, the innovation of participating kites has been further strengthened, and the number of innovative kites has reached more than 60%. The innovative elements of the kite reflect the times, and closely follow the overall development of the “four cities” building of Weifang, such as “Weifang Kite Fly in Space” from Qingzhou, “High-tech Innovations” from High-tech Zone, “Chinese Dream” from Fangzi District, "Weichai Power" from Weifang Group.

Thirdly, it has gained the active participation of the masses. Despite of the usual participation of kite flying teams from counties, county-level cities, districts, municipal departments and enterprises and institutions, there are 18 kite flying teams spontaneously formed by the masses to take part in this year’s competition, and the number of participants has increased year by year. In particular, some folk kite artists have significantly increased enthusiasm for participating in kite-making innovations or kite flying performances, which have further enhanced the level and social influence of Weifang Kite Competition, and strongly promoted the city’s kite brand building and the inheritance and development of kite culture.