The light sculpture show will be sponsored by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), with support from the China-European Union Association (CEUA), the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Italian Embassy in China.

CPAFFC President Chen Haosu, who is also president of CEUA, said at a press conference in Beijing Wednesday that as a cultural exchange between the east and the west, the light art show will not only help Chinese people understand Italian culture, but also enhance the friendship between the two peoples.

Mario Sabattini, cultural attaché of the Italian Embassy in China, said the Italian light art will demonstrate to Chinese visitors a festival atmosphere in the period of Baroque. He hoped that the show would help expand Italy-China cultural exchanges.

The light art in Beijing was created by Valerio Festi, an Italian contemporary artist, whose works were well-received when they were on display in Japan, the United States and some European countries.

During the Beijing show, Festi will combine the ancient setting of the Temple of the Earth with light sculpture and light architecture in the Baroque style. Over 300,000 colorful lamps will decorate the light sculpture show, with all sculptures exceeding 20 meters in height.

(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2002)