Beijing will host the largest yet Olympic cultural festival around August's Games, attracting thousands of performers to participate, said an official of the Beijing organizing committee Tuesday.

Nearly 300 art teams both home and abroad will perform from June 23 to September 17 at the Sixth Olympic Cultural Festival, said Zhao Dongming, director of cultural activities department of the Beijing Organizing Committee of Olympic Games.

"I believe it will be the most diversified one in the Olympic history." Zhao said, "It will be a chance for cultural integration between China and the rest of the world."

British soprano Sarah Brightman, who sang Amigos Para Siempre (Friends of Life) at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, will perform.

Italian violinist Salvatore Accardo, the Russian National Ballet Theatre, as well as an Irish Riverdance team, will also take part, he said.

China has been holding Olympic cultural festivals in Beijing since 2003. These included sports film showings, song competitions and exhibitions around the city.

(Xinhua News Agency April 16, 2008)