A concert featuring the folk songs and music of China will be held in the Concert Hall at Zhongshan Park, Beijing on February 12, the Chinese lunar new year.

According to the traditional Chinese calendar, the year of horse begins on February 12. The Spring Festival, or the first day of the Year of Horse, is the most important occasion for Chinese family reunions.

From this year the Spring Festival concert will be an annual cultural event, said an official with Beijing Gehua Cultural Development Group, the organizer of the concert.

"The concert is designed to bring folk music to the fore and to enrich cultural life," said the official.

Wu Zuqiang, a well-known Chinese musician, and Jin Tielin, president of China National Conservatory of Music, are the artistic advisors for the concert.

Wu Yuxia, a well-known lutanist, Song Fei, notable for her playing of the erhu, a two-stringed traditional Chinese musical instrument, and a number of sopranos and tenors will also give performances at the concert.

(Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2002)