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The following is issued on behalf of the Provisional Urban Council:

Georgia is a country with more than a millennium of history, and is well known by scholars worldwide for its unique and striking culture and folklore.

Despite frequent invasions and long periods of subjugation to outside invaders, Georgia was always able to retain its language, its religion, its musical and folk culture and traditions, and foremost its sense of national identity.

The characteristic most unique and prevalent in Georgian folk music is that it is polyphonic in structure. This is especially significant since Georgia is surrounded by countries whose musical traditions are chiefly monophonic, or melody-based. There are various genres of Georgian folk song. Among these are work songs, Orthodox Christian and pre-Christian pagan hymns, healing songs, lamentations, historical ballads, songs for travel, war, weddings, banqueting - in short, songs for virtually every occasion which might arise over the course of any Georgian's life.

Unfortunately, many of these songs have lost their original contexts and are now sung in Georgia only at banquets or on the stage in concert. A number of different organisations are working to preserve the traditional folk music and dance legacy. The Kolkheti Ensemble from Georgia is one of these.

Kolkheti was awarded the highest state title in 1998 by the Georgian government. Since its formation in 1980, it has gained popularity over the world. In 1987, it won the first prize in an international festival of folklore in Austria. During recent years, Kolkheti has toured over 20 countries, among them are Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Turkey, India and Yugoslavia and has always impressed audiences of different cultures with its exquisite music and dance tradition.

Its repertoire includes choral and instrumental music characteristic of every corner of Georgia and various traditional Georgian dances such as heroic tiptoe male dances, virtuoso warrior's dances and graceful women's dances.

As one of the highlights of forthcoming Festival of Asian Arts (FAA), the Kolkheti Ensemble will give two exciting ethnic presentations on October 28 and 29, from 7.30 pm at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre. Tickets are priced at $80, $120, $160 and $200 with half-price tickets for the seniors, people with disabilities and students. Discount tickets are also available for group bookings and package bookings.

The FAA, a biennial spectacular cultural event organised by the Provisional Urban Council, is scheduled from October 23 to November 14.

Tickets are now available at all URBTIX outlets now. For programme details, please call 2734 2900. For reservation, please call 2734 9009.

Programme details are accessible on the internet http//www.festivalofasianarts.org.hk or from the booking folders distributed at all URBTIX outlets.

End/Friday, October 9, 1998

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