Beijing TV Station is now accepting applications for the coming 2004 "Arts From Our Land" competition, an event which provides an opportunity for foreigners who are interested in Chinese arts and culture to display their talents before an international audience.

The predecessor of the contest as the annual "Songs from Our Land: Foreigners Singing Chinese Songs" competition, started in 1995 by the network.

Every year, the final round of the competition was broadcast during the Spring Festival, the traditional Chinese lunar new year, and was warmly welcomed by viewers, ranking as one of the highest rated specials produced in China.

Also, the programme has been honoured with a number of prestigious national awards. These include the Starlight, Spring Swallow, Rainbow and Golden Eagle awards.

The event has grown in scope and scale quickly and in 2002, it was expanded to include Chinese dance, balladry, cross-talking, martial arts, traditional Chinese opera and modern drama.

To reflect the changes, the show received a new name: Arts From Our Land.

Since its debut, the event has attracted some 2,000 competitors of all ages from more than 40 countries around the world. Every year, people of all races, creeds and nationalities gather together to display their love of Chinese arts and culture; to show off their talents in amicable competition; and to make new friends and reunite with old ones.

Together with viewers in China and abroad, they celebrate the Spring Festival in a spirit of international friendship.

In the 2004 competition, performers will compete in three areas: Chinese language ability; skills challenge; and arts performance. Finalists will compete for first, second and third place, as well as some special awards including Most Popular, Best Performer and Most Photogenic.

Those who are interested to take part into the event are welcomed to send entry form before November 20.

For further information, please log onto http://yule.sohu.com/caiyi/

Tel: 010-68429614

E-mail: xuejing@btv.com.cn caiyidasai@yahoo. com.cn

Contact: Ms Xue Jing or Ms Lu Xiao'ou

(People's Daily   October 23, 2003)