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Festive lanterns lit up Fanling Recreation Ground tonight (February 23) while various entertaining programmes organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) celebrated the Spring Lantern Festival.
Members of the public enjoyed the different programmes, especially the folk songs and dances performed by the Yunnan Honghezhou Song and Dance Troupe, as well as Chinese folk craft demonstrations such as inside-bottle painting, traditional paper cutting, string puppetry, traditional Chinese lantern craft, and Cantonese opera make-up and costumes by Guangdong, Macau and local masters. Performances by youth organisations, acrobatics, game stalls, handicraft workshops, a wish-making corner, lantern quiz and roving entertainment were equally well received.
Installed at the centre of the soccer pitch, the giant revolving lantern became the focus of photo-taking. Other lanterns featuring peacocks and unicorns filled the carnival with a festive atmosphere. The lantern installations will continue to be on display tomorrow (February 24) for public enjoyment.
The LCSD will also hold another lantern carnival tomorrow at Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC) Piazza from 7.30pm to 10.30pm featuring a range of programmes such as ethnic songs and dances, Chinese folk craft demonstrations, Cantonese opera performances, a lion dance, an orchestral performance, handicrafts workshops, a wish-making corner, lantern quiz and roving entertainment.
Apart from the lantern carnivals, "Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage - Exhibition on Craftsmanship of Lantern Making" is running at the HKCC Piazza until March 3, featuring a five-level giant revolving lantern, about nine metres high and handcrafted by local master artisans. Topped by a giant lotus, the lantern has three, constantly revolving levels in the middle part, painted with Chinese landscapes, flowers, carp and more. Each corner eave of the octagonal levels is decorated with exquisitely made miniature "palace lanterns".
Another thematic lantern display, "Treasures Fill the City", featuring different gods of fortune, will continue to light up the HKCC Piazza until March 17.
Ends/Saturday, February 23, 2013
Issued at HKT 21:30
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