She said that the economic crisis may have an effect on the art festival but it's not big.

Kirschen said: "We have traditional partners which are very faithful to us. And we start before the crisis, so the damage is not too big."

"We don't have as large a budget as we wish, but I would say the financial scarcity in no way affect the program," she added.

As to the decision to choose China as the guest country, the commissioner said: "There was the Olympic games in 2008 and the Shanghai Expo in next year. And to put Europalia in between is a good idea."

"We have try to make it a wide-ranging festival, not only archeological exhibitions but also exhibitions which reflects the day to day life of the Chinese, their beliefs and how do they go to temples, how do they celebrate the new year," Kirschen said.

"It is not only an artistic festival and it not only reflects Chinese culture, but also Chinese civilization and Chinese way of thinking," she added.

Europalia was established in Brusses in 1969. It aimed at highlighting the culture of member states of the Euroepean Community, by organizing festivals of art and culture in the heart of Europe. In 1989, Europalia opened itself to Japan and in 1993, Mexico became the guest country. Russia was given the center stage in 2005.

The Europalia Chinese Art Festival will be closed on February 14, 2009 with the Chinese New Year celebration.

Editor: Dong Jirong