Attending it together with schoolchildren were senior party, army and state officials, the chairperson of a friendly party, officials of party, armed forces and power bodies, public organizations, ministries and national institutions, servicepersons, officials in the fields of science, education, culture and arts, public health and media, persons of merit and working people in the city of Pyongyang, the chief of the Pyongyang mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front and overseas compatriots.

Present on invitation were diplomatic envoys of different countries and representatives of international bodies here and other foreign guests.

At the hall of the stadium senior party, army and state officials met with schoolchildren who displayed the glory of the younger generation of Songun Korea in the international and domestic arenas last year and congratulated them on their success. And they looked round the photo exhibition marking the 60th anniversary of the first New Year's Day celebration of schoolchildren.

Put on the stage were lovely songs and dances with the background of screens recalling the unforgettable New Year Days of happiness and glory spent in the presence of President Kim Il Sung and screens of children's plays which were performed in the past New Year's Day celebrations, leaving deep impressions on the audience.

Schoolchildren and younger children offered New Year's greetings to leader Kim Jong Il, carrying the best wishes of the rising generation across the country.

Put on the stage were duet "The Happiest Day", female chorus "The Generalissimo Danced with Us", triplets' song "Thank You, Fatherly General", narration and dance of Korean schoolchildren from Japan "We Have Come to See the General", dance on fairy tale "Mushroom Picked by Youngest Squirrel", chorus and story-telling "We Are the Marchers Group for Study Tour of Mt. Paektu", male chorus "I Will Launch Next Satellite" and other colorful numbers.

Through vibrant melody of songs and dance rhythms, the performers represented great happiness of the schoolchildren advancing toward the rosier future along the road of Songun.

Heroes and heroines and merited persons, who worked world-startling miracles and innovations in last year's advance of great surge, came out to the stage to join the blessed children in the Songun era in playing folk games and share the joy at New Year's Day gathering.