Olympic cultural festival to open next month

Beijing 2022 organizers have announced that a cultural festival will be held on the sidelines of the Winter Olympics.

The Meet in Beijing Olympic Culture Festival will last about 6 weeks, starting from Jan 6.

As an important stage for cultural and arts events for the Olympics, organizers have arranged an array of stage performances, films and exhibitions for both adults and children.

For those who cannot come to Beijing in person, there will be online access.

Some of the highlights include new creations like ballet drama on ice "We Are One" and exhibitions themed around the Games, as well as classics such as the opera Carmen and Chinese Kunqu opera the Peony Pavilion.

An exhibition will also open at the China National Arts and Crafts Museum displaying relics, many of which will be shown to the public for the first time, and demonstrating non-tangible cultural heritage.

There's also a chance to see performance types from different regions across China, such as Tibetan opera.

Also, people will be able to watch the Games live at 32 culture squares located in nine cities across China.

At the same time, they will be able to enjoy activities related to winter sports.

There will be two awards plazas in Beijing and Zhangjiakou where performances will be staged as part of the award ceremonies for Olympians.

Olympic organizers say cultural activities have always been a key part of the Games, and Beijing will take advantage of the stage to promote traditional and modern Chinese cultures.