The one-month long 7th "Meet in Beijing" Arts Festival has drawn to a close. Spanish dances were put on stage at Beijing's Tianqiao Theatre as the grand finale act of the closing ceremony. The festival, which started on May 24, ended last Saturday.

The performance given by the Ballet Nacional De Espana (BNE)-who are regarded as ambassadors of Spanish culture-presented Beijing citizens with a sumptuous Spanish feast for the eyes, including a demonstration of world famous flamenco dancing. The Spanish troupe of dancers are already quite popular among the Beijing public. During the final show in particular, the passionate audience was amazed by the superb dance moves, waves of applause rained down on the dancers throughout the night.

Three brand new works, Caprichos, Dualis and Cambalache were put on stage during the closing ceremony. They not only presented Chinese audience with traditional compositions of flamenco, but also contemporary styles, with newly integrated elements. The performers were not only dancing, but interpreting each movement with profound understanding, as an extension of themselves.

Jose Anonio is the artistic director of the performance. He was formerly a first dancer for the BNE himself-since its foundation in 1978-later becoming its artistic director. He has created a large number of works for the group and won countless awards for his outstanding compositions.

The wonderful performance marks the successful completion of the 7th "Meet in Beijing" Art Festival. The festival kicked off on April 28 with a splendid Mongolia musical epic entitled Prairie Legend, performed at the opening ceremony.

The "Meet in Beijing" Arts Festival is the continuation of a series of yearly cultural activities, begun in 2001, and organized by the Chinese government. The festival, as a cultural bridge, aims at promoting traditional Chinese culture, and also at introducing the best of foreign performing and visual arts to the Chinese. Each year, the festival has a different theme, this year's was: "Cultural Communication, Creativity Sharing".

2007 also happens to be the centennial anniversary of Chinese Drama, and it is the cultural year of "Spain in China". Within this year of rich cultural events, the 7th "Meet in Beijing" Arts Festival has provided a fantastic stage for the dissemination of different cultures, and the sharing of artistic endeavours between China and the world.

A passionate ballet performance by the Ballet Nacional De Espana (BNE), concluded the closing ceremony of the 7th "Meet in Beijing" Art Festival, which ran from April 28 to May 26 2007.

Artists from the Chinese mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong display posters to the public during the 7th "Meet in Beijing" Art Festival, which ran from April 28 to May 26 2007.

Chinese audience rush to souvenirs stands to buy Spanish music and drama products after watching a performance of the Ballet Nacional De Espana (BNE) at Beijing' s Tianqiao Theatre.

Flamenco dancers take a bow at the end of their performance during the closing ceremony of the 7th "Meet in Beijing" Art Festival on May 25 at Beijing' s Tianqiao Theatre.

(CRI.cn May 28, 2007)