Source: CCTV.com

07-29-2008 08:54

27 Chinese folk artists have been selected to demonstrate their skills at the Olympic Village, the athletes' compound for the Beijing Games. The Chinese Traditional Arts and Crafts Show, located in the international area of the village, is part of an effort to give visitors a taste of Chinese culture.

27 Chinese folk artists have been selected to demonstrate their skills at the Olympic Village, the athletes' compound for the  Beijing Games.(Photo: CCTV.com)

It's a rare chance for these folk artists to step out of oblivion and rise to international attention. It's also the first time in Olympic history that folk art demonstrations are being conducted at the Olympic village.

The artists were introduced to the press over the weekend at a press conference. Each artist revealed their craft in turn, including shadow plays, embroidery, clay sculptures, kites and opera masks.

Folk sculptor Zhang Junxian carves flour figurine at  the Olympic Village in Beijing, China, July 27, 2008.  27 Chinese folk artists were selected to demonstrate  their skills in the Olympic Village, the athletes'  compound for the Beijing Olympics.(Xinhua/Zhang Guojun)

The participating artists were selected from a wide pool of talented candidates nationwide. Many of them are the sole heirs of their unique family tradition of craftsmanship. Athletes from across the globe will be able to observe the artists actually making their crafts on the scene.