Large national-level culture festival -- "Meet in Beijing" is now in full preparation, said sources with the Ministry of Culture (MOC) of China Thursday.

The gala, to be held from April 20 to May 31 in the Chinese capital, will include performances, get-togethers and exhibitions by 32 overseas artistic troupes and 15 Chinese troupes.

The organizers said the festival, in comparison with the previous ones, will put more emphasis on local troupes' performances, which is aimed to encourage artistic production in China.

The festival will show diversified styles in the same kind of arts, as the opera performance will include musical opera developed by the world's fashion designer Pierre Cardin, classical masterpiece "Madame Butterfly" and Chinese national opera.

According to local culture administration in Beijing, get-togethers of "Meet in Beijing" have become a symbolic cultural activity of the city. This time, 15 overseas artistic troupes from more than 10 countries and regions will stage performances in 7 cultural parks and squares, more than 200 artists and college students will gam with audience on the spot. It is believed to be the best culture gam ever held in Beijing with the most artists and the longest term.

The official website for the gala, named www.meetinbeijing.com, has come into use. China Performing Arts Agency, as its chief sponsor, will also launch a ticket distributing system for the festival.

So far, the annual event has attracted more than 100 artistic and exhibition troupes as well as 600,000 audience.

(Xinhua News Agency April 4, 2002)