Beijing plans to hold a series of cultural activities during the upcoming Paralympic Games, making it fun holidays for the disabled from home and abroad.

During the Paralympics from Sept. 6-17, the city is to stage 201 performances in 21 stadiums. Some 100 artists will put on 94 shows in 18 cultural squares together with the crowd, said Liu Zhi, spokesperson for Beijing Paralympic Games.

Among them, actors from China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe are scheduled to perform 15 large-scale stunning dance "My Dream" in the Poly Theatre of downtown Beijing.

The show, having toured more than 40 countries and incorporating music, dance, dance drama and Peking Opera, uniquely presents its message in a fusion of eastern culture and spiritual traditions.

Some 680 disabled people serve as actors and actresses in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Paralympics and performances in the Paralympic Village, said Wang Jingkui, deputy director of the Organization and Liaison Department of Beijing Disabled Person's Federation.

Besides, over 100 disabled actors participated in staging shows in different venues during the games.

"Everyday during the Paralympics, nearly 30,000 disabled people are expected to enjoy and be involved in one of the activities, to watch a show or to experience the barrier-free facilities," said Chen.

"We hope to turn the Paralympic Games into a happy Paralympics and holidays for the persons with disability," he added.

As barrier-free facilities are essential for the disabled, all of the main cultural sites have been installed the ramp roads and railings, opened up the disabled-only paths, and added the disabled-only seats, elevators, low-position telephones and special toilets to guarantee them to reach all kinds of cultural activities.

(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2008)