The brain behind the stunning opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games, Zhang Yimou will direct the country's 60th anniversary celebrations as well, officials said yesterday.

The 57-year-old acclaimed filmmaker from Shaanxi has been assigned the task of organizing the once-in-a-decade National Day celebrations on Oct 1, a senior Beijing municipal government official, who did not want to be named, said.

Zhang Jigang, one of the vice-directors of the 2008 Olympic ceremonies, has confirmed he will team up with Zhang Yimou to put up a grand show.

Zhang Jigang, who comes from the country's elite army arts troupe, told China Daily that he will be directing a grand dance performance titled "The Road to Revival" during the anniversary celebrations.

Chen Weiya, another vice-director of the Games' ceremonies, said that though he will not be able to partner Zhang in the anniversary celebrations, he was "eager" to see how the master of ceremonies surprises the audiences this time.

"Beijing has chosen such a great director like Zhang (Yimou) to direct performances on such an occasion, so I expect a lot of new ideas from him," he said.

The National Day celebrations will include cultural activities, such as an anniversary gala, officials said during the ongoing annual local legislative session.

Liu Jingmin, the city's vice-mayor and vice executive president of the Beijing Games organizers, will preside over the anniversary gala, officials said.

Last year's Games ceremonies vowed audiences the world over with animated patterns, spectacular group performances and one of the most dazzling firework displays in Olympic history. And Zhang Yimou with his team is all set to repeat the performance in October, said officials.

(China Daily January 16, 2009)