THE 2018 Shenzhen International Magic Festival, the “first course” on the Shenzhen City Culture Menu line-up, will kick off Friday and last for the whole month, a press conference was told Monday.

Part of Shenzhen City Culture Menu’s commitment to host cultural activities for the public every month, the International Magic Festival, jointly organized by the Publicity Department of Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the CPC and the Shenzhen Federation of Literary and Art Circles, will bring mind-bending tricks and offer citizens a show during the Spring Festival.

This year’s activities include competitions between adults and adolescents, harlequinade, close-up magic shows in communities, magic shows given by international magicians, magic exhibitions and lectures as well as closing and awards ceremonies. The festival also promotes the sustainable development of the magic scene in China.

Three magicians — Ruxian Guli, Tan Yongquan and Xin Yafei — performed magic at the press conference. Residents can find the detailed schedule of the magic festival and related performance information on the websites, www.jinmotong.com, www.szhappyvalley.cn and www.szjieli.com.

Shi Gang, secretary general of the Shenzhen Federation of Literary and Art Circles, pointed out that the highlights of the festival are that the whole month will be live broadcast internationally and the communities will receive local performances, allowing citizens to get a closer look at the charm of magic.