The 10th "Ode to Peace" International Youth Culture and Art Festival kicked off Tuesday in Penglai, a city in eastern China`s Shandong Province.

More than 400 Chinese and foreign students displayed their hope for world peace through beautiful singing and dancing in the opening ceremony.

The festival is held every two years by the Asia Pacific Association of UNESCO, the Chinese People`s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Shandong provincial government. It is aimed to promote the spirit of pursuing world peace and develop cross-cultural friendships among teenagers all over the world.

UNESCO calls the event one of the world`s largest gatherings for the pursuit of peace.