Consumerism and ancient Egyptian culture are not phrases what you often hear used in the same breath. But the two worlds collided in the Chinese capital, Beijing on August 27 when an Egyptian culture fair opened at one of the busiest shopping centers in the city.

Tannoora dance, an Egyptian art form to celebrate major holidays, was used to raise the curtain of the Egyptian culture fair in Beijing. The event is the work of the Egyptian Embassy in China and is designed to give Beijingers a better look at what's been happening in the country over the last few millennia as well as what's happening now.

Aly El-hefny, Egyptian ambassador to China, said: "One objectives of the event is to create image on Egypt, and to explain to the Chinese public on Egypt, not only its tradition, but its modern culture as well."

Apart from the song and dance show, Egyptian artifacts are also on display. You can even buy one yourself. But the biggest demonstration in the plaza is the photo exhibition on Egypt in which photographers from around the world offered their perspectives on the land of the Nile.

Li Daoqun, a customer, said: "The exhibition suggests that Egypt really thinks it's important to protect its traditional cultural heritage. I think China should learn from it. "

And more cultural exchanges are expected in the near future. The ongoing Egyptian culture fair will continue till the 20th of next month.

(CCTV.com August 29, 2003)