The Fourth World Choir Games, previously known as "Choir
Olympics", opened Saturday in Xiamen, a coastal city of
Southeastern Fujian Province with about 20,000 singers of
from 400 choirs participated.
Chinese State Councilor Chen Zhilli read a letter sent by the
Chinese President Hu Jintao at the opening ceremony, in which Hu
expressed his congratulations on the Games and welcome to the
choirs from all over the world.
The games symbolized the heartfelt wishes of the world for
peace, development, cooperation, unity, friendship and harmony, Hu
Jintao said in the letter.
"The Chinese people are willing to join with the international
community in building a peaceful and prosperous world," Hu
said.
The 12-day event was jointly organized by the municipal
government of Xiamen and the German-based non-governmental
organization Foderverein Interkultur (international cultural
exchanges fund).
Held every other year, the last three competitions were held in
Austria, Korea and Germany respectively.
The games this year comprises 52 contests and 75 famous Chinese
and foreign musicians makes up the judge panel. Concerts,
performances of traditional Chinese singing and an academic forum
are also scheduled.
(Xinhua News Agency July 17, 2006)
