Li Hao
FOR Zhang Mizhe, a frequent park visitor, this year s park cultural festival was much more interesting because he was part of it.
Conducted in 21 parks across the city, the fifth Park Culture Festival opened yesterday at the Shenzhen International Garden and Flower Expo Park, the festival s main venue, with a variety of cultural activities for resident participation.
Zhang, 42, teamed with other visitors in a shuttlecock competition on the square at the main venue.
I m really having fun this time instead of being just a spectator, Zhang said.
Unlike Zhang s physical workout, Mao Xu, a woman who works for a foreign company, did brain exercises taking part in an English salon at the main venue where foreign teachers were invited to communicate with visitors.
It is the first time the festival has had an English activity, which is aimed to encourage people to learn and speak English in a preparation for the 2011 Universiade, which is expected to attract more than 10,000 foreigners, according to the Shenzhen park management center.
It s an innovative way to promote English speaking at the festival for a large number of people, Mao said.
Velazquez Alejandrino, an American teacher who teaches English at a language training center, spoke of the Universiade and communicated with them in a humorous and casual manner.
Even a few older people were attracted by the foreign accent, sitting down and listening.
There were also a variety of traditional cultural performances including a gong and drum performance, yangko (a popular rural folk dance in China) and Beijing opera. The festival was a stage for amateur and veteran performers from communities throughout the city.
During the festival, there will be a cultural performance each night at the main venue, featuring concerts, talk shows and displays of flower arrangements.
Other highlights include traditional Chinese art, flower exhibitions, lectures on gardening and open-air movie screenings.
Residents can log on to http://www.szparks.gov.cn for a detailed schedule of activities in the 21 parks.
