Present there were Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Kang Nung Su, vice-premier of the Cabinet, Minister of Culture An Tong Chun, chairman of the Festival Organizing Committee, Ryang Man Gil, chairman of the Pyongyang City People's Committee, officials concerned and working people here.

Also present were foreign and overseas Korean artistes, delegations of various countries, diplomatic envoys of different countries and representatives of international organizations here, staff members of foreign embassies here, foreign guests and overseas compatriots.

An Tong Chun in his opening speech said that the festival would provide the foreign artistes with a significant occasion for exchanging success and experience gained in the development of culture and making a contribution to the development of the human culture and arts.

Convinced that the festival would be successful as expected by the Korean people and progressive cultural artistes, he declared the festival open.

Foreign and DPRK artistes hoisted the festival flag.

Congratulatory speeches were made by Zhang Hao, head of the Jilin Provincial Symphony Orchestra of China, and Jean-Francois Mancel, member of the National Assembly under the People's Movement Union of France who is a guest of honor of the 27th April Spring Friendship Art Festival.

The DPRK artistes gave a performance at the ceremony.