Northeast Chinese city Changchun will start to build a museum
for Vasaloppet China international cross-country skiing festival
this May, said a local official Wednesday.
With a building area of 1,800 square meters, the museum will
contain galleries of various winter sports and Vasaloppet China
event, said Yang Wenjun, deputy director of the administration
committee of Changchun Jingyue Economic Development Zone.
The museum is located on a slope near the ski resort in
Jingyuetan national forest park, the main venue of Vasaloppet
China, said Yang. It is expected to be open in January 2009, he
added.
The 2008 Vasaloppet China festival was launched in Changchun
Wednesday. It is the sixth consecutive time that Vasaloppet China
is held here, making China the fourth country to hold the event
after Sweden, the United States and Japan.
Originated from Sweden in 1922, Vasaloppet is a cross-country
ski race that commemorates Swedish King Gustav Vasa, who led the
overthrow of the Danish reign.
(Xinhua News Agency January 3, 2008)