The 5th BEIJING 2008 Olympic Cultural Festival will take place in Beijing and Qingdao from June 23 to July 15, the organizers announced on Monday (June 18).

Aiming to create a harmonious, humanistic, and festive Olympic environment, this edition of the Cultural Festival will witness the entire nation's dedication and passionate desire for the Olympic Games and the relentless efforts of China's disabled persons to achieve higher goals.

This year's Festival is the last one prior to the Opening Ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. It adheres to the theme of "One World One Dream -- I participate, I contribute, and I enjoy" and integrates sports with culture. Among the 20 plus scheduled activities are the mass sports and cultural activities, Olympic Cultural Squares, films, forums, exhibitions, open-air concerts, and cultural activities for disabled persons and the youth.

On the evening of June 23, the Cultural Festival and the Olympic Cultural Squares will be launched at the Zhongguancun Cultural Square in Haidian District. On the weekends, a total of 19 Olympic Cultural Squares will be held in Beijing's districts and counties.

On the opening day, BOCOG will kick off the selection process for the Beijing Olympics' torchbearers, and the Beijing Municipality will launch its sixth "Sports for All" Festival. During the Cultural Festival, the "Beijing International Sports Film Week" and "Beijing 2008 Olympic Forum" and other branded programs will continue to give citizens an opportunity to enjoy and participate in the Olympics.

On July 15, the "Beijing 2008 Olympic Cultural Festival" will conclude with an evening party under the motto of "Welcome the Olympics, Improve Manners and Foster New Attitudes."

In line with the "Olympic Host City Contract" between the International Olympic Committee and the host city of the Olympic Games, the host city must hold the Olympic Cultural Festival during the Olympic cycle. With the progress of the Olympic Movement, the cultural festival has become an important platform for the host country and city to spread the concepts of the relevant editions of the Olympics and showcase the national culture.

Editor: Wing