Pyongyang, May 14 (KCNA) -- The 61st National Schoolchildren Art Festival closed with due ceremony at the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace in the DPRK on Wednesday.

At the festival, held under the loving care of the respected fatherly Marshal Kim Jong Un, the participants showed well their artistic talents they had cultivated through after-school activities in the past.

Pyongyang Municipality took the first place in total standings of the festival and South Phyongan Province second and North Hamgyong Province third.

The commendations of the Central Committee of the Socialist Patriotic Youth League were awarded to the successful organizations and students.

Paek Un Chol, chairman of the Central Committee of the youth league, made a closing address. -0-