First phase of advance tickets for Picasso exhibition to go on sale tomorrow (with photos)
************************************************************

     Advance tickets for the much-awaited "PICASSO - Masterpieces from Musˆme National Picasso, Paris" exhibition, to be held at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, will be sold in three phases at URBTIX outlets and the Hong Kong Heritage Museum's box office from tomorrow (May 4) onwards.

     A spokesman for the Hong Kong Heritage Museum said today (May 3), "The exhibition, which runs from May 19 to July 22, will feature 55 original works by Picasso - by far the most comprehensive exhibition of Picasso's works ever held in Hong Kong. We expect that the exhibition will be well-received by the public and visitors, especially art lovers.

     "To shorten the queuing time for tickets and to enable visitors to see the exhibition in a comfortable environment, we have adopted special measures on viewing and ticketing arrangements," the spokesman said.

     During the exhibition period the Hong Kong Heritage Museum will extend its daily opening hours from 10am to 8pm, except for Tuesday which is the museum's rest day and the exhibition gallery will be closed for cleansing and maintenance.

     There will be three viewing sessions on weekdays and five on weekends and public holidays. Each session can accommodate 1,500 visitors on average including individuals, organised groups and Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) museum pass holders.

* Three viewing sessions on weekdays are: 10am-1pm/1pm-5pm/5pm-8pm

* Five viewing sessions on weekends and public holidays are: 10am-noon/noon-2pm/2pm-4pm/4pm-6pm/6pm-8pm

     The admission fee for the exhibition is standardised at $20. Visitors using a Picasso exhibition ticket can also visit other exhibition galleries in the museum for free. Children under 4 years old are entitled to free admission. As it is a special exhibition, free admission on Wednesdays and concession tickets are not applicable.

     Schools, registered charitable and non-profit-making organisations that make a group visit with a minimum of 20 persons can apply in writing for free admission. Application forms can be downloaded from the website at hk.heritage.museum.

     As some visitors will only know their schedules and availability nearer the time of their visit, and to avoid tickets for popular time slots selling out too quickly, admission tickets will be sold in three phases as follows:

* Phase 1: from May 4 (for exhibition dates from May 19 to June 8)
* Phase 2: from May 25 (for exhibition dates to June 29)
* Phase 3: from Jun 15 (for exhibition dates to July 22)

     Visitors should note that ticket sales for the first three days of each phase will only be available through counter booking. Internet booking via URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) and credit card telephone booking (Hotline: 2111 5999) will be available on the fourth day of sale (i.e. May 7, May 28 and June 18) onwards.

     LCSD museum pass holders are required to present their museum pass for redemption of admission vouchers for entry to the exhibition. Vouchers will be available for redemption on a first-come, first-served basis at the museum 15 minutes before each viewing session. Interested parties can purchase an LCSD museum pass at the seven major museums under the LCSD, namely the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong Museum of History, Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence, Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum, Hong Kong Science Museum and Hong Kong Space Museum.

     Jointly presented by the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau and the LCSD, the exhibition is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and the Musˆme National Picasso, Paris. It is one of the highlight cultural events to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the 20th edition of Le French May.

     The Hong Kong Heritage Museum is located at 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin. For details of the exhibition and ticket arrangements, please visit the Heritage Museum's website at hk.heritage.museum. For enquiries, call 2180 8188.

Ends/Thursday, May 3, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:20

NNNN