**********************************************************
Visitors to the Lunar New Year Lantern Carnival organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at Ko Shan Road Park and Ko Shan Theatre tonight (February 28) were treated to spectacular lantern displays, boisterous entertainment and colourful shows.
Among the attractions were Chinese ethnic songs and dances by 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. Other programmes included Chinese traditional stage arts, golden oldies, Cantonese opera excerpts, Chinese instrumental performance, fortune-telling, lantern riddle quiz and roving entertainment.
Festive lantern installations including a seven-metre high lantern decorated with a dragon and a tiger, as well as lantern featuring the mascot "Haibao" to celebrate the World Expo 2010 Shanghai China were popular spots for photo-taking.
A spectacular lantern exhibition "Spring Blessings for a Prosperous Year" is also on show at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza until March 21. The free exhibition displays giant lanterns in the shape of a dragon, phoenix, qilin (Chinese unicorn) and turtle against a series of colourful lanterns. 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/Sunday, February 28, 2010
Issued at HKT 21:31
NNNN
