A record 290 artists from 59 countries around the world are participating in the festival's competition, this year. While intensifying the creative atmosphere for the locals, the festival has hoisted Hualien County onto the international stone sculpturing arena through the progressive promotion of artistic exchange with foreign sculptors.

Although most of the entries are from Europe, middle Asia and Latin America, it was obvious that some of the artists took the pains to incorporate Oriental elements into their artwork.

International fervor for the competition is obviously increasing, as entries were received from artists in South America and Eastern Europe — regions that have never been represented in the festival.

Notably, a Ukranian sculptor's piece, “Stairs to Heaven,” depicting twelve steps between heaven and hell. The twelve steps are representative of the twelve Chinese zodiacs.

Situated on the mountainous east coast of Taiwan, Hualien boasts scenic landscapes. The natural endowments of the county give it great potentials in the field of stone sculpturing.

With its cliffs, valleys, waterfalls and diverse variety of stones, Hualien is not merely a treasury of materials but a heaven for stone-lovers, appealing to countless art workers devote to stone sculpturing creation.