The Entertainment of the Olympics

Audiences are going to the National Stadium, "Bird's Nest", where the rehearsal of the opening ceremony takes place, at the night of July 30. [Photo: 2008.sohu.com]

It's a visual and audio extravaganza that is expected to be witnessed by some 4 billion people world-wide. With exactly one week to go before the Olympics here in Beijing officially open, a lot of people are beginning to wonder what exactly the opening ceremonies are going to look like. Without a doubt, the most anticipated moment will be the actual lighting of the flame inside the Birds Nest. And the window-dressing that is going to accompany this Olympic tradition is the artistic performance directed by renowned director Zhang Yimou. That night we will also find out what the theme song for the Olympics here in Beijing will be. So what sort of work has gone into opening ceremony? How will the Chinese culture be presented to the world? And what about the Olympic theme song? Ni hao, you're listening to People In the Know, your window into the world around you and your window into the Olympic Games, online at crienglish.com here on China Radio International. In this edition of the show well be talking to the men behind the opening ceremony. So let's get started.

(Music)

First we'll talk to a veteran of the Olympic opening ceremonies. Mr. Ric Birch is the international artistic advisor to Zhang Yimou, and has been involved in Olympic opening ceremonies since 1984.

(Dialogue with Birch)

And after a short break, we'll talk to a Chinese composer of one of the Olympic songs.

(Promo)

Ni hao, you're listening to People In the Know, your window into the world around you and your window into the Olympic Games, online at crienglish.com here on China Radio International. I'm Paul James in Beijing. In this edition of our show we're talking about the opening ceremony of the Games, which will take place one week from today. For more on the musical side of things, we are pleased to be joined on the line by Mr. Kong Xiangdong, pianist and producer of "Forever Friends."

(Dialogue with Kong)

And with that we drop the curtain on this edition of People In the Know, online at crienglish.com here on China Radio International. Even though the opening ceremonies are going to be relatively short in duration, one can expect that it's going to be filled to the brim with the best that 5000 years of Chinese culture has to offer. Questions or comments for us can be sent to people@cri.com.cn. For Executive Director Zhao Yang, Producer Yang Jingjie and Editior Zhang Ru, I'm Paul James in Beijing. Enjoy the weekend.

Page Editor: Wang Wenwen