Migrant workers will perform an original song they wrote at the televised national Spring Festival performance.

 

"This is the first time that migrant workers will be performing on the national stage, with their own song to boot," said Liu Zhongjun, a senior official with the Ministry of Culture and also lead producer of the performance.

 

He said that inviting migrant workers to the performance means that everyone in society will have an equal opportunity to show their talent, an important factor for a harmonious society.

 

Young migrant worker Sun Heng and his compatriots will sing a song they wrote themselves in a program called "People on the Road".

 

The migrant workers will perform alongside well-known Chinese singers, performing a dozen songs that express longings for their hometown and their love for families and friends.

 

"People's strong feelings for their country will be highlighted by the performance," said Wen Zhongjia, musical director of the performance.

 

"Our country needs this kind of patriotic emotion."

 

Liu said this year's performance will feature singers from different minority groups who will present ethnic songs.

 

Street dancing and skate boarding, which is very popular with young people, will be staged with the acrobatics presentation.

 

Also on offer will be two songs written by Culture Minister Sun Jiazheng and Vice Culture Minister Chen Xiaoguang.

 

According to Liu, the artists will try out new styles for this year's gala, such as having ballet dancers performing to Chinese folk music and Kunqu opera artists singing in poetry.

 

(China Daily January 25, 2006)