The opening ceremony of the 22nd Pingyao International Photography Festival takes place in the Ancient City of Pingyao on Sept 19. [Photo by Peng Ke'er/China Daily]

The 22nd Pingyao International Photography Festival opened in the Ancient City of Pingyao in North China's Shanxi province on Sept 19. 

Wei Jiangfeng, Party secretary of Pingyao county, said at the opening ceremony that over the past 22 years, more than 50,000 photographers and 280,000 works from over 100 countries and regions have participated in the festival, attracting some 4.5 million tourists from home and abroad. The annual photography event has become a major attraction for photography lovers around the world. 

This year's week-long festival, themed on light and shadow and creating the future together, is divided into 12 units in four major sections: photography exhibitions, a photo fair, exhibition selections, and academic exchanges. 

The exhibition showcases the style of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, promotes the spirit of the Beijing Winter Olympics, and demonstrates the wisdom and openness of China. 

The academic exhibition invites participants of previous sessions of the festival to Pingyao to discuss the 20 years of development of Chinese contemporary photography art.

A visitor views photos at the 22nd Pingyao International Photography Festival in Pingyao. [Photo by Sun Ruisheng/China Daily]

As a major highlight of the festival, more than 90 domestic and international institutions are participating in the school photo exhibitions. 

Over 1,200 works by more than 1,200 photographers at home and abroad are on display. 

The festival has provided a space for photographers to display their creative achievements, a platform for young photographers to learn and showcase their talent, and a stage for curators to express their views. 

Sun Xiaolu, a curator of the festival, said that over the past 22 years, Pingyao has become a cultural brand that showcases Chinese and global photography. 

As one of the longest-running photography events in China, the event has always maintained a high standard, high quality, artistry, internationality, and professionalism, giving photographers and curators a sense of mission and pride, Sun added.