Fifth Beijing 2008 Olympic Cultural Festival opens (photos attached)

Updated：2007-06-23

(BEIJING, June 23) -- The 5th Beijing 2008 Olympic Cultural Festival was declared open Saturday evening at the International Sculpture Park in Shijingshan District.

During the ceremony, BOCOG President Liu Qi, who is also member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and secretary of Beijing Municipal CPC Committee, announced the official start of the fifth Beijing 2008 Olympic Cultural Festival. Chen Zhili, State Councilor and BOCOG First Vice-President, also attended the event and unveiled a piece of theme sculpture for the cultural festival.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Meng Xiaosi, Vice Minister of Culture and chief organizer of the cultural festival, said the event would play an important role in promoting the Olympic spirit and building up a positive Olympic environment. In particular, the event would serve to foster the spirit of "I participate, I contribute, and I enjoy."

Liu Qi announces the official start of the cultural festival.

Chen Zhili unveils a piece of theme sculpture for the cultural festival.

The International Sculpture Park, located in the western part of China's Capital, was alive and throbbing with an atmosphere of festivity. At 6pm, art performance and cultural activities are held in six special sections in the park, including a welcome area, a photo exhibit, a folk customs exhibit, a fitness area, an entertainment area, and stage performances.

During the ceremony, local chorus teams, performance teams and disabled persons' organizations brought their Olympic-theme songs and dances to the audience. Olympic champions and popular singers also went on the stage.

Themed "One World One Dream -- I participate, I contribute, and I enjoy", this cultural festival integrates sports with culture, featuring about 110 sports and cultural activities ranging from Olympic live sites, films, forums, exhibitions, open-air concerts, and cultural activities for persons with a disability and the youth.

This cultural festival is the fifth one in a row since its debut in 2003 and the last one prior to the opening ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Performance at the ceremony