Prepare to be dazzled with tricks and illusions. Italy's festival of magic, "Supermagic 2009", opened on Friday at the Teatro Olimpico in Rome.

Italy's festival of magic, "Supermagic 2009", opened on Friday at the Teatro Olimpico in Rome.

From card tricks to mysteriously appearing doves and simple comedy fused with magic.

Some of the best illusionists from around the world performed their tricks during a series of shows for the Italian capital's sixth magic festival.

Card trick artist Juliana Chen - the first Chinese national to have won World Championships of Magic - was among them.

The brainchild behind the event is Sergio Bustric, who is both the festival director and host.

Bustric, an experienced stage and film actor/director with a passion for magic could not resist getting involved himself.

Supermagic director Sergio Bustric said, "I already knew some tricks, I love magic but of course I learned some. You know I think it is a shame to know the trick, because usually when it is a good trick it is a very simple one and it seems easy, but it is not so easy. It's one thing knowing a trick but quite another performing it."