Ballet carnival to light up art festival in Beijing

BEIJING -- The Belarusian ballet "Spartacus," performed by the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of the Republic of Belarus, will be staged during a month-long art festival starting April 25 in Beijing.

The ballet will hit the stage at the National Center for Performing Arts between May 3 and 4.

It is based on a Roman slave revolt led by the warrior Spartacus. After two years of unrest, the rebellion was finally put down and Spartacus died in battle.

Performers from China, the Republic of Korea and the Philippines will jointly stage many ballets including classics "Don Quixote" and "Swan Lake" at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center on May 14.

Nearly 600 artists from 25 countries and regions will give nearly 50 performances and events in the form of music, dance, opera and exhibitions during the festival.

The event is co-sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the National Radio and Television Administration and the Beijing municipal government.