Over 100 pairs of lovers representing 52 countries and the 56 Chinese ethnic groups gathered in the Chinese capital Friday for the opening of the Sixth Beijing International Cultural and Tourism Festival.

To show the different wedding customs in the world, the four-day event will be an eye-opening experience for the people in Beijing as the lovers perform their traditional wedding ceremonies in eight parks Saturday and in a parade Sunday, said Li Jicheng, an official of the Beijing municipal tourism bureau.

In addition, nearly 3,000 artists from the United States, the Republic of Korea, Spain and Canada will perform in the parade, which is to be held on Ping'an Avenue in Beijing, according to Li.

With the theme of "Beijing's tomorrow is more beautiful", the festival is sponsored by the National Tourism Administration and the Beijing municipal government.

(Xinhua News Agency October 17, 2003)