Folk songs around the world

The National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) will launch the 2008 International Folk Song Week from October 3 to 8. A total of 38 folk ensembles - 22 from abroad and 14 from China - will bring Beijing's audience 44 song and dance shows.

Notable inclusions are the Aboriginal Australian blind singer Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, Kiran Chandra Roy from Bangladesh, Cosmic Voices of Bulgaria, the Angel Parra Quartet from Chile, Folk Ensemble Jasenka from Czech and the Farabi Music School from Indonesia.

Blind from birth, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is a powerhouse of musical creativity. His solo performances are a rare treat, not only to lovers of indigenous music, and should not be missed.