A Russian culture carnival is being held in Ditan Park in Beijing, and attracted more than 90,000 visitors with its original Russian arts and crafts on its first day.

According to Yan Wenqing, vice president of China Arts & Entertainment Group, which organized the carnival, the three-day event is an important part of the China-Russia Year Program.

The event also coincides with the National Day holiday and has low-price tickets, adding to its popularity.

Ditan Park is built around the ancient Temple of the Earth, where emperors made sacrifices to please the earth gods.

"In contrast to previous expensive theater performances, square activities allow more interaction between the Russian artists and the Chinese audience," Yan told China Daily yesterday. The ticket price is only two yuan (about 25 US cents).

"Visitors to the carnival come from all age groups. And they can join in performance and games they are interested in," said Yan.

The carnival includes a whole range of performance and craftsmanship exhibitions with peculiar Russian features.

Concerts on the central stage in a square are being presented by 55 artists, including members of popular folklore ensemble "Veretentse," youth circus team "Super Jump," music group "Va-Ta-Ga" and the Choreographic ensemble "Volga" from Ulianovsk.

The exhibitions include craftworks made of birch bark, patchwork mosaics, ancient Russian costumes and photographs of Russian villages.

Craftsmen from such regions as Arkhangelsk, Kemerovo, Skopin, Ivanovo, and Moscow will show off their skills.

Irina Yakushkina, a female pottery master, was overjoyed about her first trip to China.

"I had heard a lot about Chinese pottery making before I came, and I really looked forward to communicating with my Chinese counterparts," said Irina.

"My exhibition is crowded with Chinese visitors. They keep telling me about the similarities and differences between pottery skills of our two countries. I can sense their fascination and sincerity. It is so exciting," said Irina.

Irina, like the other 29 Russian folk crafts people, was carefully chosen for this special festival.

The carnival is attracting many Chinese from both outside and inside Beijing.

Xu Changgeng, a 73-year-old retired worker from south China's Guangdong Province, hummed along to the Russian song, Evening in Moscow's Suburbs.

"I learnt that song as a middle school student when the two countries were on the best of terms. Almost everybody in my generation can sing it," said Xu. "It is so great to have all these memories rekindled here."

The festive mood was also shared by hundreds of children who chased around life-size dolls of Russian bears.

The carnival ends on October 3 and is expected to attract 250,000 people, according to the China Arts & Entertainment Group.

(China Daily October 2, 2006)