World Artists to Present Nightly May Performances in BeijingArtists from the world will gather in Beijing this month to present their best performances to Chinese audiences.Meet In Beijing 2000, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and three other governmental departments, has invited 24 foreign artistic groups and 12 from China to put on more than 80 shows during May. "This activity is intended to bring the arts closer to everyday people," said Li Gang, director-general of the department for cultural exchanges with foreign countries. Sources with China Performing Arts Agency said that prices of these shows will be at 50-60 yuan (US$6-7.2), low enough to allow many people to attend. Some of the shows even have ticket prices of 15-20 yuan (US$1.8-2.4). The festival will also have free shows in the capital's several public squares on weekends for Beijingers and tourists. Ruan Lanyu, an official with Beijing municipal cultural bureau, said that the public performances will last the whole day on every Saturday in May. Lying in the capital's different districts, the squares are Xidan Cultural Square, the square in front of Beijing Railway Station, the square at the northern gate of the Workers' Stadium, the open-air theatre in the World Park and the Xuanwu District Cultural Square. "It will be a good chance for everyone to enjoy the arts around the world," Ruan said. Different from other arts festivals, Meet In Beijing 2000 will not focus on a single form of artistic endeavor. Instead, dance, orchestra, symphony, ballet, drama and even kung fu performances will all be included, Li stressed. |
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