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The Leisure and Cultural Services Department held the New Territories West Lunar New Year Lantern Carnival tonight (February 27) at Pak Tai Temple Playground, Cheung Chau to celebrate the Spring Lantern Festival.
The Heilongjiang Province Song and Dance Theatre, supported by the Office for Cultural Affairs with Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Regions, Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China, performed Chinese ethnic songs and dances at the carnival. Other entertainments included Chinese traditional stage arts, lion dance, Cantonese operatic songs, golden oldies, make-a-wish pavilion, fortune-telling, lantern riddle quiz and roving entertainment.
Greeting carnival-goers at Cheung Chau ferry pier was a festive lantern display featuring marine life such as fish and crab. Together with other installations at the playground showcasing the famous bun festival, floats parade and the mascot of World Expo 2010 Shanghai China "Haibao", the displays have added colour to the carnival.
A lantern carnival will also be held tomorrow (February 28) at Ko Shan Road Park and Ko Shan Theatre. The Heilongjiang Province Song and Dance Theatre will perform Chinese ethnic songs and dances. Details of the lantern carnival are as follows:
1. Urban Lunar New Year Lantern Carnival
Date and time: February 28, 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 riddle quiz and
roving entertainment
A spectacular lantern exhibition "Spring Blessings for a Prosperous Year" is now on show at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza until March 21. Admission is free.
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.
Ends/Saturday, February 27, 2010
Issued at HKT 21:31
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