The 13th China International Chorus Festival has opened at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Chinese cultural minister Luo Shugang, President of the International Federation for Choral Music, Michael J. Anderson, and about 6,000 officials, foreign diplomats and representatives from 10 countries attended the event's opening ceremony.

The 13th China International Chorus Festival has opened at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Chinese cultural minister Luo Shugang, President of the International Federation for Choral Music, Michael J. Anderson, and about 6,000 officials, foreign diplomats and representatives from 10 countries attended the event's opening ceremony.

It started with a chorus of 4-thousand people performing the Chinese folk song "Jasmine", and ended with Ludwig van Beethoven’s "Ode an die Freude". The festival features 204 performances by 238 choirs from 44 countries and regions. Twenty concerts will be held at the Beijing Concert Hall and the newly opened Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center.

Launched in 1992, the chorus festival is the only one approved by the State Council in China. Thousands of choruses and performers from more than 100 countries have taken part in the event since the start of the festival. The event is aimed at strengthening the cultural exchange between China and other countries.

The 13th China International Chorus Festival has opened at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Chinese cultural minister Luo Shugang, President of the International Federation for Choral Music, Michael J. Anderson, and about 6,000 officials, foreign diplomats and representatives from 10 countries attended the event's opening ceremony.

The 13th China International Chorus Festival has opened at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Chinese cultural minister Luo Shugang, President of the International Federation for Choral Music, Michael J. Anderson, and about 6,000 officials, foreign diplomats and representatives from 10 countries attended the event's opening ceremony.