Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Email this article news.gov.hk
World Cultures Festival 2013 performances to showcase artistic vitality of Eastern Europe (with photos)
******************************************************

     "World Cultures Festival 2013 - Lasting Legacies of Eastern Europe" will display the extraordinary artistic vitality of Eastern Europe, past and present, in Hong Kong this autumn. The festival will showcase transcendent Orthodox sacred music and the robust energy of Gypsy song and dance, as well as literary giants, innovative theatrical masters, traditional realism and cutting-edge contemporary thought.

     Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the festival will run from October 18 to November 17.

     Since 2005, the biennial World Cultures Festival has journeyed through Latin America, around the Mediterranean region, along the Silk Road and across Asia. This year's spectacular destination is Eastern Europe, a region that has provided the setting for countless historic events and generated a fascinating range of performing and visual arts over the centuries and up to today.

     Opening the festival will be the pioneering Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg, with its breathtaking contemporary choreography and striking reinterpretation of Leo Tolstoy's epic novel "Anna Karenina". In a ballet tour de force, leading Russian choreographer Boris Eifman will meet one of literature's most charismatic female protagonists to generate a breathtakingly bold and passionate encounter. The programme will be held on October 18 and 19 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre.

     The divine voices of Serbia's Divna Ljubojević and the Melodi choir will soar as they bring Byzantine sacred chant to Hong Kong in the concert "The Soul of Orthodox Chant". The exuberant charm and energy of Roma culture is also set to enchant audiences through engaging performances by the Budapest Gypsy Symphony Orchestra from Hungary and Romafest Gypsy Dance Theatre of Romania.

     On the dramatic front, Russia's Maly Drama Theatre of St. Petersburg - Theatre of Europe, directed by multi-award winning Lev Dodin, will stage Anton Chekhov's 19th century classic play "Uncle Vanya". In addition, Polish theatre luminary Krystian Lupa will dissect the persona of 20th century sex goddess Marilyn Monroe in "Persona. Marilyn" by Poland's Dramatic Theatre of the City of Warsaw.

     The festival will also feature:

* The concert by Terem-Quartet (Russia)
* Don Cossacks State Academic Song and Dance Ensemble in honour of Anatoly Kvasov (Russia)
* Class 7A Drama Group's "The Memorandum"
* JohnChen Ensemble's "Uasiankrainian Jam"
* The Hong Kong Philharmonic's "Eastern Europe Postcards"

     Beyond the performances, the Eastern Europe Arts Salon Series of bookstore talks will offer a relaxed and atmospheric way to learn about the region's cultural heritage and contemporary significance. Other extension activities will include exhibitions, film and video screenings, workshops, talks, meet-the-artist sessions, a masterclass, a backstage tour, a sharing session, a script reading and school tours, providing an all-round view of the amazing arts of Eastern Europe.
    
     Tickets for "World Cultures Festival 2013 - Lasting Legacies of Eastern Europe" are available at URBTIX from tomorrow (September 6). Half-price tickets are available for full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 and above, people with disabilities and their minders, and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Other booking discounts of up to 20 per cent are available.

     Programme brochures are available at URBTIX outlets or at the website, www.worldfestival.gov.hk.

     For programme enquiries, call 2370 1044. For telephone credit card bookings, call 2111 5999. Internet bookings can be made at www.urbtix.hk.

Ends/Thursday, September 5, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:25

NNNN

Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo Photo
Print this page