BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The 12th edition of the China Art Festival, the country's top-level, comprehensive cultural and artistic event, is set to be held from May 20 to June 2 in Shanghai, organizers of the festival announced Thursday.

The event, co-sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Shanghai municipal government, will feature stage art performances, exhibitions of works of fine arts, calligraphy and seal cutting, as well as photography and expositions of performing arts and creative products.

Fifty-one outstanding stage plays in the form of operas, drama, children's drama, dance drama and musicals will be presented.

The event will be concluded with the awarding ceremony of the Wenhua Awards for the performing arts.