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Seven hundred pigeons were released as the formation of university campus angels were passing through the rostrum as the opening ceremony of the 21st Universiade here Wednesday evening.
"They are all homing pigeons," said Xu Peiwen, adviser to the Major Activity Department of the Universiade Organizing Committee. Other kinds of pigeons never fly at night.
The 96 girls danced into the stadium, each holding a pure white pigeon. The other pigeons were kept in cages near the rostrum and were released when the "angels" released theirs.
Long Aduo, a teacher of the Beijing Arts School, choreographed the dance. "The angels of campus and pigeons symbolize youth and peace," she said.
All the pigeons are raised by individual members of the society. "We feel obliged to support the activity as much as we can," said Zhang Zhaoxiang, vice president of the Beijing Pigeon Society.
The Beijing Pigeon Society has 19,000 members. The 696 pigeons were contributed by 25 members.
(Xinhua News Agency 08/22/2001)
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