The artistic program of the Olympic Opening Ceremony next August will last an hour and a half, according to speakers at a motivational rally held on Saturday.

 

 

Liu Qi chairs the meeting.

 

Addressing the workers involved with the preparation of the artistic program of the Ceremonies for the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games, BOCOG President Liu Qi remarked that the central government places great importance on the opening and closing ceremonies.

 

He pointed out that with the world looking forward to the ceremonies with great expectations, the workers have a tremendous responsibility ahead to deliver successful opening and closing ceremonies.

 

Chen Zhili, State Councilor and first vice-president of BOCOG, also attended the rally. She urged all the workers to cooperate and coordinate with the central government to ensure that the 2008 opening and closing ceremonies would represent a "high-level Olympics with distinctive features."

 

 

Chen Zhili speaks at the meeting.

 

The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) announced earlier on September 5 that from September 5, 2007 to April 30, 2008, BOCOG would be taking submissions from around the world of photographic images featuring smiling children's faces for potential use in the artistic performances of the Ceremonies.

 

Other officials representing the various departments and ministries also spoke at the rally, presenting motivational talks and updates on the progress of the preparations.

 

Also present at the meeting were members of the creation team, including chief director Zhang Yimou, Zhang Jigang and Chen Weiya.

 

(BOCOG September 30, 2007)