Some 47 art troupes from 26 countries and regions worldwide will stage over 120 performances in Beijing during the second "Meet in Beijing" art festival, which will start on April 20.

During the 43-day festival, audiences will enjoy 54 stage performances, 8 outdoor shows and 3 art exhibitions covering symphonic music, pop music, ballet and musical drama.

It was said at a press conference here Tuesday that this year's festival will exceed the first festival held last year in both quantity and quality of performances.

The festival, already a yearly event in Beijing, is the continuation of a series of yearly cultural activities organized by the Chinese Government, including the International Year of Symphonic Music in 1996, the International Year of Opera and Dance Drama in 1997, the International Year of Fine Arts in 1998, and the International Year of Traditional and Folk Dance in 1999.

In May 2000, the "Meet in Beijing" Art Festival made its debut and attracted some 38 art groups from 24 countries with a total of 111 performances and an audience of over 300,000.

Officials from the Ministry of Culture said today that the art festival will be held each year in the next five years, with each one focusing on different kinds of art.

This year's festival will be jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture, the Beijing Municipal Government and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

(People’s Daily 04/04/2001)