CRI听力:'Meet in Beijing' Arts Festival to Kick off

Fans of the arts in Beijing, whether they are interested in American ballet dance or northwest China's acrobatics, will have a whole month and more to enjoy a cultural feast at the 15th Meet in Beijing Arts Festival. 42 art troupes and more than 100 musical bands from around the world will showcase their passion and talent.

This year the festival will feature American culture as a highlight. From the ballet classic Swan Lake, to choirs, jazz, even cuisine culture, various art forms from across the ocean will enjoy the spotlight in Beijing.

Latin American culture will also be emphasized, as percussion music, folk songs and modern dance from Argentina, Mexico, and many other countries race to showcase their wares.

What's more, arts fans will set their eyes on northwest China during the festival, where rich cultural treasures are waiting to be rediscovered. A major dance show called "The Youth of the Desert" will be brought from Xinjiang to Beijing for the very first time, a testament to the endeavors of a generation of Chinese on the vast desert there.

Shen Jian is the head of Xinjing Production and Construction Corps.

"During the creative process, we've found a resonant part among all of us, which is our youth. We believe there's only barren desert. There's no barren youth time. We hope our work will convey this message and win ourselves more friends from all over the world."

As the piece de resistance for the closing performance, China's national heritage Peking Opera will be given prominence at this year's festival. A well-known play called Unicorn Purse will feature Zhang Huoding, and showcase the life of a charitable girl. Not long after the festival, Zhang Huoding and her team will travel to New York City, and perform the same piece at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts to introduce it to US audiences.

Song Guanlin, head of the China Arts and Entertainment Group, which is hosting the festival.

"To close the festival with a Peking Opera masterpiece, it's like an echo to history, and to the feature country of America. We all know that back in 1930, Maestro Mei Lanfang visited the U.S. with a reverberating Peking Opera performance which had enormous repercussions."

A kaleidoscope of arts and culture, the 15th "Meet in Beijing Arts Festival" will commence on April the 23rd, and last for more than five weeks. 100 indoor and 50 outdoor performances will be seen onstage. Ticket prices will be friendly too. Some will even be issued free of charge.