Pyongyang, March 28 (KCNA) -- The April Spring Friendship Art Festival is a festival which has been held with splendor in praise of a great man for decades under the idea of independence, peace and friendship.

The festival, started in April 1982 for the first time amid the boundless reverence and best wishes of all people for President Kim Il Sung, has made great contributions to promoting friendship, unity and cultural exchange among peoples and artistes of different countries and developing the music and art of mankind with concerted efforts.

Over the past 40-odd years, nearly 20 000 foreigners and overseas Koreans from more than 2 090 art troupes, cultural delegations, visiting groups and support organizations of many countries have participated in the festival.

This year, too, art troupes and artistes in many countries spare no effort in their preparations for the festival to decorate the April holiday with a beautiful flower garden of art.

At present, art troupes and famous artistes from dozens of countries applied for their participation in the festival and sent art pieces they prepared with sincerity.

Songs, dances, acrobatics and other art pieces reflecting the boundless sincerity of all people admiring and lauding the peerlessly great men will add to the joy and excitement of celebrating the significant April holiday. -0-