第五届“北京2008奥林匹克文化节”将于6月23日至7月15日在北京、青岛等地举行。本届奥林匹克文化节是北京奥运会开幕前的最后一届文化节，也是北京奥运筹办以来，活动规模最大、内容最丰富、参与性最强、形式最多样的一届文化节。它以“同一个世界、同一个梦想--我参与、我奉献、我快乐”为主题，力求将体育与文化紧密结合，充分体现面向社会、贴近群众、广泛参与的特点。

Beijing Olympic Cultural Festival Symbol

The 5th BEIJING 2008 Olympic Cultural Festival will take place in Beijing and Qingdao from June 23 to July 15, the organizers announced on Monday.

Aiming to create a harmonious, humanistic, and festive Olympic environment, this edition of the Cultural Festival will witness the entire nation's dedication and passionate desire for the Olympic Games and the relentless efforts of China's disabled persons to achieve higher goals.

This year's Festival is the last one prior to the Opening Ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. It adheres to the theme of "One World One Dream -- I participate, I contribute, and I enjoy" and integrates sports with culture. Among the 20 plus scheduled activities are the mass sports and cultural activities, Olympic Cultural Squares, films, forums, exhibitions, open-air concerts, and cultural activities for disabled persons and the youth.

On the evening of June 23, the Cultural Festival and the Olympic Cultural Squares will be launched at the Zhongguancun Cultural Square in Haidian District. On the weekends, a total of 19 Olympic Cultural Squares will be held in Beijing's districts and counties.

On the opening day, BOCOG will kick off the selection process for the Beijing Olympics' torchbearers, and the Beijing Municipality will launch its sixth "Sports for All" Festival. During the Cultural Festival, the "Beijing International Sports Film Week" and "Beijing 2008 Olympic Forum" and other branded programs will continue to give citizens an opportunity to enjoy and participate in the Olympics.

On July 15, the "Beijing 2008 Olympic Cultural Festival" will conclude with an evening party under the motto of "Welcome the Olympics, Improve Manners and Foster New Attitudes."

In line with the "Olympic Host City Contract" between the International Olympic Committee and the host city of the Olympic Games, the host city must hold the Olympic Cultural Festival during the Olympic cycle. With the progress of the Olympic Movement, the cultural festival has become an important platform for the host country and city to spread the concepts of the relevant editions of the Olympics and showcase the national culture.

Vocabulary:

open-air concerts：露天音乐会

kick off：开始