October China Festival.

30 Sept-30 Oct 2005. For the whole of October Amsterdam is host to the biggest festival of Chinese art and culture ever held in the Netherlands. Both traditional and modern art forms are on offer, from the Peking Opera at the Concertgebouw to installation artists Lin Tianmiao.

And Wang Gongxin at Canvas International art gallery. Photo exhibitions, the latest Chinese films, contemporary music and video art bring modern China to life, while acrobatics, puppetry and traditional story singers bear witness to the continuing popularity of ancient art-forms. One of the many unique events in the festival is the double concert to be held at the Tropenmuseum featuring the Hubei Chime Bells orchestra, rarely seen outside China, and the folk music ensemble of the Taoists of Shanxi, whose music accompanies ceremonies for the dead and magic rituals. A special double CD of traditional and modern music, accompanied by an informative booklet, will be issued to commemorate the Amsterdam China festival. Admission to festival events and exhibitions ranges from 25 to free.