Folk culture week celebrating thaw of Songhua River held in NE China's Heilongjiang

An aerial drone photo shows fishing vessels during the launching ceremony of a "Kaijiang" folk culture week in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, April 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

HARBIN, April 16 (Xinhua) -- "Kaijiang" refers to the annual springtime thawing of ice-covered rivers in northeast China. As people in Harbin on Wednesday kicked off a folk culture week to celebrate the thawing of Songhua River, many activities such as rituals and traditional performances were held to showcase the region's ethnic heritage.

A performance is staged during the launching ceremony of a "Kaijiang" folk culture week in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, April 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

An ice sculptor displays ice carving skills during the launching ceremony of a "Kaijiang" folk culture week in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, April 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

An aerial drone photo shows the launching ceremony of a "Kaijiang" folk culture week in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, April 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

A painting made from fish skin, birch bark and straw is displayed during the launching ceremony of a "Kaijiang" folk culture week in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, April 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

A performance is staged during the launching ceremony of a "Kaijiang" folk culture week in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, April 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

A performance is staged during the launching ceremony of a "Kaijiang" folk culture week in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, April 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)