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The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will hold three lantern carnivals in different parts of the territory between February 26 and 28 to celebrate the Spring Lantern Festival.
A spectacular lantern exhibition "Spring Blessings for a Prosperous Year" is now on show at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza. Admission to the lantern exhibition and all carnivals is free.
Lantern carnivals will be held at Po Tsui Park, Tseung Kwan O, on February 26, at Pak Tai Temple Playground, Cheung Chau, on February 27 and at Ko Shan Road Park and Ko Shan Theatre on February 28. Festive lanterns will be on display at the venues between February 26 and 28.
Greeting carnival-goers at the entrance of Po Tsui Park will be nine beautiful peacock lanterns. Together with gold ingots and the gods of fortune, prosperity and longevity, the displays add festive colour to the carnival. Installations at Cheung Chau feature the famous bun festival, floats parade and different kinds of fish. Symbolising life and energy, a seven-metre high lantern decorated with a dragon and tiger will stand at Ko Shan Road Park surrounded by colourful peonies.
To celebrate World Expo 2010 Shanghai China, lanterns featuring the mascot Haibao will also be one of the highlights at the three venues in addition to other festive installations.
Details of the three lantern carnivals are as follows:
1. New Territories East Lunar New Year Lantern
Carnival
Date and time: February 26 (Friday),
7.30pm-10.30pm
Venue: Po Tsui Park, Tseung Kwan O
Programmes: Chinese ethnic songs and dances,
Chinese traditional stage arts, puppetry, golden
oldies, choral performance, fortune-telling,
lantern quiz and roving entertainment
2. New Territories West Lunar New Year Lantern
Carnival
Date and time: February 27 (Saturday),
7.30pm-10.30pm
Venue: Pak Tai Temple Playground, Cheung Chau
Programmes: Chinese ethnic songs and dances,
Chinese traditional stage arts, lion dance,
Cantonese operatic songs, golden oldies, make-a-
wish pavilion, fortune-telling, lantern quiz and
roving entertainment
3. Urban Lunar New Year Lantern Carnival
Date and time: February 28 (Sunday),
7.30pm-10.30pm
Venue: Ko Shan Road Park and Ko Shan Theatre
Programmes: Chinese ethnic songs and dances,
Chinese traditional stage arts, golden oldies,
Cantonese opera excerpts, Chinese instrumental
performance, fortune-telling, lantern quiz and
roving entertainment
The lantern exhibition "Spring Blessings for a Prosperous Year" lights up the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza until March 21.
The exhibition displays giant lanterns in the shape of a dragon, phoenix, qilin (Chinese unicorn) and turtle against a series of colourful lanterns. According to Chinese legend, the dragon, phoenix, qilin and turtle are the "four auspicious creatures" symbolising luck and fortune. During this festive celebration, spring takes over from winter and life surges back. Accompanied by other lantern displays as emblems of blessings and good luck, the four auspicious creatures bring good wishes of prosperity and happiness to each family.
For more information on the above events, please call 2591 1340 or visit the website: www.lcsd.gov.hk/eo.
Ends/Thursday, February 18, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:30
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