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"Anna Karenina" by the Eifman Ballet of St Petersburg opened "World Cultures Festival 2013 - Lasting Legacies of Eastern Europe" tonight (October 18) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre.
Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the festival runs until November 17. Featuring the most representative art forms, artists and arts groups of the Eastern European countries, the festival's array of dance, theatre and music programmes will showcase the rich and diverse cultures and traditions of the region inherited from the past and transformed to the present, with new developments reflecting the multifaceted contemporary society.
Officiating at the opening ceremony before the performance was the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing.
Opening the festival is Russia's pioneering Eifman Ballet of St Petersburg, with its breathtaking contemporary choreography and striking reinterpretation of Leo Tolstoy's epic novel "Anna Karenina". A scorching Anna is brought to life in Eifman's innovative contemporary interpretation. Driven by passion, the alluring beauty restlessly chafes against her gilded aristocratic life while her turbulent, angst-filled relationships with both husband and lover are powerfully depicted through searing routines and athletic, highly charged performances.
In addition to being staged this evening, "Anna Karenina" will also be presented at 2.30pm and 7.30pm tomorrow (October 19) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre. A limited number of tickets for box seats with restricted view are available at the price of $150 at the box office of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre from 10am on the day of the performance. Each patron can purchase a maximum of two tickets per transaction on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last.
The festival will also feature:
* The concert by Budapest Gypsy Symphony Orchestra (Hungary)
* "Persona. Marilyn" by the Dramatic Theatre of the City of Warsaw (Poland)
* The concert "The Soul of Orthodox Chant" by Divna and Melodi (Serbia)
* "Uncle Vanya" by Maly Drama Theatre of St Petersburg - Theatre of Europe (Russia)
* The concert by Terem-Quartet (Russia)
* Class 7A Drama Group's "The Memorandum"
* Romafest Gypsy Dance Theatre of Romania in "Romafest - A Gypsy Song and Dance Fiesta"
* JohnChen Ensemble's "Uasiankrainian Jam"
* Don Cossacks State Academic Song and Dance Ensemble in honour of Anatoly Kvasov (Russia)
* The concert "Eastern Europe Postcards" by the Hong Kong Philharmonic
Beyond the performances, extension activities 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. 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/Friday, October 18, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:30
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