Civilizations Shine

A martial arts performance titled The Charm of Chinese Ink Art
A performer drums on a rotating robotic arm during the performance of The Grand Regatta
Indian singers and dancers perform A Panorama of Asia
Artists from the Republic of Korea dance and play percussion instruments as part of The Grand Regatta
Italian singer Andrea Bocelli sings Nessun Dorma, an aria from the opera Turandot

Dazzling dance moves and music livened up the National Stadium in Beijing on the evening of May 15, as a grand carnival was held to celebrate the diversity of Asian civilizations. Also known as the Bird's Nest, the stadium hosted the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics.

The carnival was part of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations. Around 30,000 audience members watched artists from across Asia and other parts of the world perform folk dances, play traditional musical instruments and present popular songs.

(Photos by Wei Yao)

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