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The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is tonight (September 27) holding the lantern carnival at Victoria Park, featuring a series of entertainment programmes and spectacular lantern displays to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li; and representatives from the District Councils of urban areas officiated at the lantern carnival's opening ceremony.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lau said the Mid-Autumn Festival is an occasion for family reunion and celebration. This year, Victoria Park is filled with festive joy with "The Luminous Scenes of Old Hong Kong" as the carnival theme. Visitors can walk in a street that reflects the daily life and festive moods of old Hong Kong through the display of neon light signboards, dragon and lion dance lanterns, and screenings of old Hong Kong movies.
He said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is committed to the promotion of intangible cultural heritage. This year, it is continuing to co-operate with the Tai Hang Residents' Welfare Association in bringing the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, a listed item of national intangible cultural heritage, into Victoria Park as a grand finale of the carnival.
Spectacular lanterns are hot spots for photo-taking at the carnival, including one giant lantern presented by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office of the LCSD. Crafted by a local master, the 7-metre-high Chinese-style lantern has four levels. It combines "fa pao" and revolving lantern elements and depicts the story of Chang'e flying to the moon as well as Mid-Autumn celebrations in the streets of old Hong Kong through various "fa pao"-style figures.
Members of the public are also enjoying the carnival's festive programmes. The highlights include ethnic dances, songs, and acrobatic shows by the Shanghai Arts Troupe. There are also folk art demonstrations by Guangdong and local masters including Guangzhou olive kernel sculpture, Canton embroidery, Cantonese opera headdress making and Chinese paper cutting.
Lion dance, kung-fu performances, hip hop dance, percussion performances, accordion performances, and Chinese costume showcase and fitting activities are boosting the fun and energy of the carnival, while other entertaining programmes such as a creative market and a lantern quiz are further key attractions.
The LCSD will also hold another lantern carnival at Tsing Yi Park tomorrow (September 28), with details as follows:
New Territories West Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival
September 28 (Monday), 7.30pm to 10pm
Tsing Yi Park
Programme: Spectacular Chinese ethnic dances and songs, acrobatics, demonstration of Chinese folk craft, Chinese instrumental music, dance performances, a cappella and piano performances, a clown show, a lantern quiz and a Hakka kung-fu and unicorn parade.
A lantern display entitled "Blossom Beneath the Moon" is being held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza until October 18. Based on the Mid-Autumn legend "The Goddess Chang'e Flies to the Moon", the lantern display features little Chang'e and rabbits playing between a sea of flowers.
People are urged not to litter or burn wax while celebrating the festival.
For more information on the above programmes, please visit the website:
www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/eo/territoryevents/midautumnlantern/midAutumn2015.html.
Ends/Sunday, September 27, 2015
Issued at HKT 20:46
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