Authorized by the State Council, the Ministry of Culture, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, the General Administration of Sport, the Beijing Municipal Government and the BOCOG will jointly hold an annual Beijing 2008 Olympic Festival from 2003 to 2008. The first Olympic Cultural Festival will be held from September 21st to 29th.

   I. Subject of the First Beijing 2008 Olympic Cultural Festival:

   "Charming Beijing, Cultural Olympics"

   II. Main activities at the First Beijing 2008 Olympic Cultural Festival:

   The Cultural Festival will be held under the principle of giving prominence to advantages and concentrating on cultural essence. The main activities of the festival are: opening and closing ceremonies, exhibitions, forums, cultural and sports activities.

   A. Opening ceremony for the First Beijing Olympic Cultural Festival:

   1. Time: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on September 21, 2003

   2. Place: China Millennium Monument

   B. Closing Ceremony for the First Beijing Olympic Cultural Festival

   1. Time: 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on September 29th, 2003

   2. Place: Century Hall, Peking University

   C. Exhibitions:

   1. Chinese Seal and Dancing Beijing: Emblem Exhibition for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad

   a.Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., September 21st to 30th

   b. Place: Art Hall, Section B, China Millennium Monument

   2. Exhibition of Emblem from Previous Olympic Games

   a.Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., September 21st to 30th

   b. Place: South Square, China Millennium Monument

   3. 2008 Beijing University Students Poster Design Exhibition:

   a.Time: September 24th to 30th

   b. Place: Qingdao

   D. Beijing 2008- Olympic Forum:

   1. Beijing 2008- Symposium on the Olympic Emblem: Cultural Innovation & Games Image Design

   a.Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., September 22nd

   b. Place: Studio in Section B, China Millennium Monument

   c.Content:

   Noted experts and scholars in the fields of social sciences and art designing will be invited from home and abroad to discuss the cultural connotation and designing concepts of the Beijing Olympic Emblem, as well as the historical origin of China's traditional culture. Guests include Ms. Yue Daiyong, comparative literature expert, Mr. Pan Gongkai, art theorist, and Prof Ron Newman from Sydney Arts Academy.

   2. Beijing 2008- Symposium on Olympic Torch Relay

   a.Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., September 23rd

   b. Place: Studio in Section B, China Millennium Monument

   c.Content:

   Discussions on the operation mode and experience of torch race from previous Olympics, as well as the plan for Beijing 2008 Games. Deep studies focusing on how the 2008 torch be passed over the Mount Qomolangma, and related topics as live broadcasting and training of mountaineers.

   3. Beijing 2008- Symposium on China Jade Culture & Olympic Spirit Seminar

   a.Time: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., September 25th

   b. Place: Studio in Section B, China Millennium Monument

   c.Content:

   Cultural relic experts, President of the Jade Article Association and former President of the Imperial Palace Museum, Mr. Yang Boda and other well-known domestic jade experts will discuss how to promote the combination of traditional Chinese culture and the Olympic spirit.

   4. Beijing 2008- Symposium on Olympic Education

   a.Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m., September 26th

   b. Place: Studio in Section B, China Millennium Monument

   c.Content:

   Experts and scholars from Beijing Municipal Education Commission, universities, educational institutions, etc., will discuss the opportunities and challenges brought by the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, the countermeasures Beijing should take, and the relationship between the Olympic spirit and school moral education.

   5. Beijing 2008- International Symposium on Digital Film & Television for Olympic Games

   a.Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., September 28th to 29th

   b. Place: Studio in Section B, China Millennium Monument

   c.Content:

   World renowned Olympic scholars, film and digital film makers, and digital application experts will be invited to take part in the forum to discuss visual products, digital technology application and the use of digital and high-technology for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Games.

   E. Cultural and Sports Activities

   1. Performance of Taiji on the Great Wall:

   a.Time: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., September 28th

   b. Place: Juyongguan Great Wall

   c.Content:

   Wushu stars, students, and policemen both from the Public Security Bureau and the armed police force will perform a collective Taiji and Gongfu show.

   d. Scale of the activity: about 11000 professionals, students, policemen, and members of international Wushu organizations will take part in the activity.

   2. "Charming Beijing, Cultural Olympics" Open-air Cultural and Sports Activities

   a.Place 1: Yuandadu Park, Chaoyang District

   Time: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., September 27th

   Content: 10,000 students gather at the Yuandadu Park to start the movement of "Love Beijing, Hand In Hand Olympic Games." At the same time, the Chaoyang District "Patriotism Education Base Opening Ceremony" will be held.

   Activity scale: about 10,000 people, including leaders from BOCOG, Beijing Municipal Education Commission, Beijing Radio and TV Broadcasting Group, and students from schools in Beijing.

   b. Place 2: Zhonggulou Square, Dongcheng District

   Time: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., September 27th

   Content: popular and traditional sports, performance, etc.

   Activity Scale: 500 people including leaders of Beijing Municipal Government and BOCOG.

   3. Beijing High School English Speech Contest

   a.Sponsor: Beijing Citizen Speaking English Office

   b. Time: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

   c.Place: Studio at Beijing TV Station