10drumsfrom2008OlympicstoarriveinSZ
From: Shenzhen Daily
Updated: 2009-03-18 00:03
Bidders compete for a fou drum at the China Beijing Equity Exchange on March 8.
TEN of the 1,000 drums used at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games in August last year will arrive in Shenzhen and be on display to the public by the end of this month.
The 10 drums, also known as fou, were bought by Shenzhen Suhe Catering Park Management Service Co. Ltd. for more than 800,000 yuan (US$117,014) at an auction held by the China Beijing Equity Exchange (CBEX) on March 8. The 10 drums, which went under the hammer with a starting price of 13,000 yuan, attracted 439 bidders. The drums finally went to Shenzhen Suhe for 667,000 yuan.
With commission included, the 10 drums cost the Shenzhen company more than 800,000 yuan. "The price far exceeded our expectations," said Fang Haixing, general manager of Shenzhen Suhe. However, as the only Shenzhen entrepreneur attending the auction, Fang said he was determined to buy the Olympic mementos for whatever price they fetched at the auction. "I hope the drums will help raise the morale of Shenzhen enterprises amid the financial crisis," said Fang. "I also wanted to rouse people"s enthusiasm for the 2011 Summer Universiade by buying the drums."
Fou drums are ancient instruments made from clay or bronze. The Beijing organizing committee for the 2008 Olympic Games entrusted CBEX to auction Olympic items last August.
Fang said the drums would soon be brought to Shenzhen and preparations for the exhibition of the drums were in full swing. A drum performance would be given during the exhibition.
Shenzhen Daily