Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- An art performance was given at the Mansudae Art Theatre here on Feb. 16 to celebrate the 83rd birth anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong Il.

Among the audience were Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., Workers' Party of Korea, first vice-president of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, officials of the WPK Central Committee, meritorious persons of socialist patriotism, officials in the field of art and creators in Pyongyang and members of the congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan on a visit to the socialist homeland.

The performance started with songs "February Is Spring" and "Ode to Comrade Kim Jong Il", making the audience feel an irresistible yearning for Kim Jong Il.

The famous songs about the old home of the Chairman in the Sobaeksu Valley covered with snow, cherished in the hearts of the Korean people as their home, stirred up the emotion of the audience and their ardent love for Mt Paektu in February.

The performers sang high praise of the undying feats of Kim Jong Il who devoted his all to the prosperity of the country and happiness of the people throughout his revolutionary life.

The performance reached its climax with the song "A Dear Name", popular among the Korean people, as it represents their yearning for the peerlessly great man who always gave great joy, happiness, miraculous strength and courage to them with warm love of a mother and wise guidance of a teacher.

The performance significantly adorned the greatest national holiday and further hardened the audience's optimism and confidence that the rosy future is in store for them as they are led by the great Party Central Committee. -0-