The festival is arousing greater interest and expectations among the service personnel and the people of the DPRK, overseas Koreans and world people as it is taking place on the significant occasions of marking the 10th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's work "Kimilsungia Is an Immortal Flower Blooming in the Hearts of Humankind in the Era of Independence" and the 50th anniversary of the naming of Kimilsungia.

On display at the venue of the festival on the theme of "Undying Kimilsungia in full bloom thanks to blessings of great sun" are more than tens of thousands of potted Kimilsungias cultivated by more than 80 units including armed forces organs, ministries and national institutions, people of various circles and school youth and children with ardent yearning and intense loyalty to the President.

Among the flowers on display are potted Kimilsungias presented by the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, overseas Koreans, foreign diplomats and representatives of the international organizations here, foreign organizations for friendship and solidarity with the DPRK and foreigners and members of the society for disseminating and supporting the immortal flower with warm sincerity.

Present at the opening ceremony were Yang Hyong Sop, officials concerned and officials of the units, service personnel and people and delegations of overseas Koreans' organizations and overseas Koreans who presented flowers to the festival, the chief of Pyongyang Mission of the Anti-imperialist National Democratic Front, Ratna Sari Dewi Sukarno, director of the Dewi Sukarno Office in Japan and honorary chairperson of the Society for Disseminating and Supporting Immortal Flowers, staff members of the Indonesian embassy here and other foreign guests.

Vice-Premier Kim Yong Jin, chairman of the organizing committee for the Kimilsungia-Kimjongilia festival, said in an opening address it is a great pride and honor for the service personnel and people of the DPRK to have immortal Kimilsungia as a valuable treasure of the nation.

He expressed belief that the festival would encourage the service personnel and people of the DPRK in their heroic drive and make a great contribution to boosting good neighborly relations with the justice- and peace-loving progressive people of the world.

Bambang Hiendrasto, Indonesian ambassador to the DPRK, made a congratulatory speech.

He said Kimilsungia was a symbol of the eternal friendship between Indonesia and the DPRK and expressed belief that the bilateral friendship would continue.

The participants looked round the venue of the festival which presents fantastic scenery with potted Kimilsungias and other rare flowers.