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The Smurfs return to China

By Qiang Xiaoji (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2011-01-18 16:16

The loveable, blue-skinned cartoon characters known as the Smurfs are making a huge comeback in China with a 3-D Hollywood movie which will be shown publicly in August of this year.

At a press conference in Beijing over the weekend, William Auriol, CEO of International Merchandising Promotions & Services (IMPS), said the film is part of a larger "Smurfs returning to China" plan. He said aside from the movie, the plan is full of other Smurf-themed activities and products such as a theme park and a remastered version of the 272-episode animated TV series.

The Smurfs were created in 1958 by Belgian cartoonist Pierre Culliford, known as "Peyo." The blue creatures living in the mushroom-shaped houses made their debut on Chinese televisions in the 1980s and became very popular among children as they did worldwide.

The Smurfs served as the mascot for the Belgium Pavilion during the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

A Smurf balloon floats through Times Square during the 84th Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York Nov 25, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]