HANGZHOU, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- A culture festival honoring an ancient Chinese playwright has begun in east China's Zhejiang Province.

The 8th Tang Xianzu Culture Festival in Suichang County will see a series of seminars discussing the influence of Tang Xianzu and William Shakespeare. An opera week will also be held.

"We not only need to let the world know that China has Confucius and classic books, but also Tang Xianzu, who can be talked about on the same level as Shakespeare," said Luo Yimin, a professor of Southwest University, at the event.

Tang, born in 1550, was a famous Chinese playwright best known for four plays dubbed the "Four Dreams."

His masterpiece "Peony Pavilion" tells of a romance between an official's daughter and a poor scholar, as they pursue love and freedom. A play adapted from the story has been performed for international audiences.

Tang died the same year as British playwright William Shakespeare, with the coincidence drawing comparisons between the two.