Latifa Lakhdar, Tunisia's minister of culture giving a lecture at the second Silk Road International Arts Festival. [Photo/Xinhua]

The second Silk Road International Arts Festival opened in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi province on Monday.

The festival will include dramas, exhibitions, culture forums, dances and other performances presented by artists from 62 countries untill Sept 21. During the festival, more than 40 public-interest performances will be given in communities, universities and factories.

Tunisia's minister of culture and envoys from 19 countries attended the opening ceremony. Later, they viewed the exhibition, Silk Road, Sensing China, on display at the Xi’an Museum of Contemporary Art.

During the opening ceremony, Latifa Lakhdar - head of the Tunisia's Culture and Heritage Protection Department, signed a memorandum of understanding with Luo Shuguang,- China's minister of culture, stating that the two countries each will set up culture centers to encourage more cultural exchanges.

"Chinese culture has always been well received in Tunisia, and setting up a culture center in Tunisia can promote culture and enhance friendship between our two countries," Lakhdar said.

In the evening, ministers and envoys attending the ceremony watched Tianzhuyuewu, an Indian dance show directed by China's top Indian dance directors. The dance relates Indian legends and stories and expresses tolerance in Indian legends.