About 110 performers from Macau and more than 40 participants from countries including the US, Australia, Singapore, Brazil and Denmark are taking part in the event.

Organiser Billy Hui said the programme for this year's festival was different from previous years as Macau Music Force and Macao Folk Club had joined the Civil and Municipal Affairs Bureau as co-organisers.

Hui said the annual event will showcase Macau's up-and-coming talent and provide a voice to the region's youth.

'There's more concentration on local groups and performers this year,' he said. 'We really wanted the local community to have ownership of the festival so there have been some changes and we are hoping this will be successful.'

As part of the festival, the Victorian Dance School from Australia will perform. There will be an opportunity for audience members to sit down and talk with the dancers.

Hui said the idea was to offer local performers an opportunity to learn from an international dance troupe and find out information about studying abroad.

Among other highlights this years are Citywide Theatre and the A Fringe Generation, which will showcase Macau's 'new generation' of artists.

Web bloggers are also encouraged to post articles, entries and photographs about the festival on their blogs.

Prizes will be awarded to the 10 bloggers who have the best presentation.

'We see young people as the future of Macau and we want them to get involved,' said Hui.