A Chinese political advisor and humanities scholar has suggested to use the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games for a chance to recommend an ancient legendary romance of the nation to foreign visitors as part of the country's efforts to promote its traditional culture in the world.

 

Organizers of the sports event and cultural authorities can scheme a grand gala on the Tian'anmen Square to mark Qixi, or Chinese Valentine's Day, which falls on the eve of the Games' scheduled opening ceremony on August 8, 2008, to charm foreign athletes and visitors with the colorful folk custom coming from the love story of a cow herder and a fairy weaver, said Li Hanqiu, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

 

An ancient folklore tells that fairy weaver Zhinu fell in love with and married cow herder Niulang, but they were separated by the Milky Way at the order of the Queen Mother of the Heaven, who was irritated by the heretical union between an earthling and an immortal.

 

The two lovers are only reunited once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month in Chinese lunar calendar, when magpies form a bridge across the galaxy for them.

 

"The coincidence of the Olympics and Qixi offers a rare chance for China to exhibit its charming traditional culture to the world, as the grand sports event also offers a platform for cultural exchanges between people from different countries," said Li on the sidelines of the annual session of the CPPCC National Committee, China's top advisory body.

 

With the help of the laser technology, the scene of the two lovers' romantic reunion can be staged "on the sky" above the Tian'anmen Square, which can be followed by an international contest of love songs, said Li.

 

Li said he has consulted with laser experts of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on the feasibility of the wonderful plan, who told him it is not very difficult to stage such a scene.

 

The scholar also proposed to develop souvenirs, such as stamps and envelops themed on the romance, to help promote the oriental festival for lovers.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2007)