The second edition of the Olympic Culture Festival lifted its curtain in Beijing Wednesday (Jun 23) to celebrate the third anniversary of Beijing's successful bid for the 2008 Olympic Games.

The 21-day gala began with a large-scale party featuring performances of ethnic minorities and will culminate on July 13, when Beijing won the right to host the summer games three years ago, in the publication of the Paralympics logo.

Under the theme of "From Olympia to the Great Wall", the annual festival will see an international forum regarding the mingling ofthe East culture and the Olympic spirit held on Thursday and Friday in People's University of China.

"Apart from that, we would like more people to take part in the festival, enjoy it and know more about the Olympics," said Jiang Xiaoyu, deputy president of Beijing organizing committee (BOCOG).

The organizers will stage a month-long Olympic quiz game to interest people in finding more about the Games and about 10,000 people are expected to run from the Tian'an men Square to the China Centenary Altar on July 11 in celebration of the anniversary.

In addition, the 18 districts of Beijing will hold separate themes parties during the festival.

The BOCOG said that such culture festival would be held annually until 2008, when Beijing stages its first ever Olympics.

Editor: Donald