BEIJING, June 23 (Xinhuanet) -- The Beijing Olympic Culture Festival got underway on Thursday with an outdoor concert held at the China Centenary Altar in the capital.

    The three-week-long cultural gala is held to mark the fourth anniversary of Beijing's successful bid for the 2008 Games and help promote the Olympic movement in the city.

    It will culminate on Sunday when the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympics (BOCOG) unveils its slogan for the Games.

    Before Thursday night's concert, Beijing also held an exhibition of historical documents, pictures and souvenirs associated with Beijing's Olympic bid.

    Various events including concerts, photo exhibition, dance performances and Olympic forum will also take place over the days in Beijing and Qingdao, the sailing venue for the 2008 Games.

    The documentary movie "The Year of the Yao" which chronicles Yao Ming's first year in NBA is one of the 20 sports-themed films to be shown during the culture festival.

    The Chinese capital was awarded the right to host the 2008 Olympics in July 2001.

    The Beijing Olympic Culture Festival, which is held annually, will run through 2008. Enditem