SOFIA, May 12 (Xinhua) -- The 2nd Asian Festival was held in Sofia, capital of Bulgaria, on Saturday with the participation of 14 Asian countries including China.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev opened the festival themed "The Colours of Tradition".

In his opening speech, the president said presiding over the EU Council, Bulgaria attached great importance to enhancing Europe's dialogue with Asia within the Asia--Europe Meeting and promoting cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The president said most people usually put politics and the economy first, but on a day like this it was essential to stress the great importance of cultural cooperation, particularly people--to--people contacts.

Indonesian Ambassador to Bulgaria Sri Astari Rasjid greeted the visitors to the festival on behalf of the 14 participating countries.

She said this year's Asian Festival in Sofia came during the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council and brought Asia closer to Bulgaria through culture, sport, food and tourism. Bulgaria was an important link between Europe and Asia.

Each Asian country has a stall at the event to show the visitors something special about the country.

The participating countries, including China, also staged more than 50 music, dance, handicraft and cuisine events in the city's Borisova Garden.

The Asian Festival, which started in 2017, was organized with support from Sofia Municipality, the State Institute for Culture with the Foreign Ministry, and the ministries of tourism and culture.