Present at its opening ceremony were officials concerned, working people, youth and students, diplomatic envoys of different countries and representatives of international bodies and their wives, members of the military attaches corps here and their wives and staff members of foreign embassies here, foreign guests, overseas Koreans and the chief of the Pyongyang mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front.

Figure skaters from the DPRK, Russia, Latvia, Belarus and Canada entered the venue of the ceremony.

Ri Jong Mu, minister of Physical Culture and Sports, in his opening address expressed belief that the festival to be held in the idea of independence, peace and friendship would bring joy to the Korean people. He declared the festival open.

Demonstration performance "The General Will Always Be with Us" was given.

DPRK's figure skaters represented the strong yearning of the Korean people for Kim Jong Il in such numbers as "A Dear Name", "The Sound of a Horse's Hooves in Mt. Paektu" and "Our Father."

They reflected the faith and will of the service personnel and people of the DPRK to build a thriving socialist nation of Juche under the guidance of Marshal Kim Jong Un through their skillful and refined artistic presentation.

Foreign players who proved successful in international and domestic games displayed admirable technique in such numbers as "The General Star beyond the Clouds."