Beijing arts festival is set to light up the capital's stages with a whole series of events ranging from folk dance and ballet to musicals and drama.
When the curtain rises on the eagerly anticipated Riverdance spectacular on April 28, it will signal the start of the fourth Meet In Beijing Arts Festival.
Domestic artists will be joined by major name stars from around the world in the annual event which is sponsored by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Beijing Municipal Government.
The festival provides opportunities for the world to get acquainted with the best of Beijing as well as providing the capital's art lovers with a window on the world.
A total of 37 foreign art troupes from five continents make up the event along with 20 domestic troupes.
As well as stage performances there will be exhibitions, an international piano contest, a cultural seminar and a series of outdoor galas. The latter events aim to bring the joy of spring to the population at large with performances in squares and other public spaces.
Russia has been chosen as the guest of honour in this particular festival. This year will begin the tradition of choosing one main guest country to extensively showcase their arts in Beijing.
The Russian theme this year includes folk dance and a film festival which will see Russian films screened at colleges and universities. A major exhibition by a number of renowned Russian painters rounds out the programme.
Russian pianist Mikhail Pletnev, one of the best in the country, will perform a special recital.
And Chinese winners of the vocal and violin sections of the Tchaikovsky Musical Competition will co-stage a concert.
Several other world-renowned troupes and artists from other parts of the world will also be in attendance.
A symphonic concert under the baton of Kongzel and Pletnev, concerts by the Scottish BBC Symphony Orchestra, the State of Oklahoma University Symphony Orchestra, as well as performers from Spain, Mexico, Germany, Australia, Greece, Chili, Brazil and Nigeria are scheduled for appearances.
Ding Wei, head of the Foreign Liaison Bureau of the Ministry of Culture, acclaimed the Meet In Beijing Arts Festival as one of Asia's largest.
While still a "baby" compared to other art festivals, Ding said, it is developing rapidly.
For details of each performance, please see Beijing Weekend's cultural and performance pages in the coming weeks.
(Beijing Review April 9, 2003)
