The 2023 Lhasa Shoton Festival will take place from Aug 16 to 22 this year. The announcement was made at a press conference in Lhasa on Aug 8.  

People visit a giant thangka exhibition to mark the start of the annual Shoton Yogurt Festival in Lhasa in 2022. [Photo by Palden Nyima/chinadaily.com.cn]

Chen Jing, deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China Lhasa Municipal Committee and executive deputy mayor of the city, said that this year's Shoton Festival will be a feast of artistic performances, Tibetan opera shows, and horse racing, as well as business fairs and forums, aiming to bring innovative ideas to traditional celebrations and promote the development of local culture and tourism industry.

Apart from the opening ceremony and performances, a promotional event for investment projects as well as a seminar on ecological restoration will also be held on the sidelines of the festival, according to the press conference.

Migmar Chongdag, a member of the leading Party members group and deputy director of the Lhasa Sports Bureau, said that the traditional equestrian show during the Shoton Festival will be upgraded to a horse racing event this year, which includes traditional equestrian performances, speed horse racing and horse walking. The one-and-half-day event will allow more people to get a better understanding of Tibetan equestrianism and to enjoy the sport.

During the promotional event for investment projects, ambassador certificates will be issued to those who will play their due part in promoting Lhasa and introducing investment to the city. This will be the first time that Lhasa presents such certificates, aiming to expand investment channels and attract more investments, and create a favorable atmosphere for investment promotion.

In order to highlight the popularity of the Shoton Festival and enrich the cultural life of the residents, counties (districts), functional parks, relevant departments, and enterprises will also organize mass cultural and sports activities.