Carnival at Ko Shan celebrates Spring Lantern Festival
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    People tonight (February 21) enjoyed the Lunar New Year Lantern Carnival at Ko Shan Road Park and Ko Shan Theatre, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Spectacular lantern displays and various entertainments filled the carnival with a festive atmosphere.

    The carnival featured a Chinese traditional stage arts show, golden oldies, dance, Cantonese and Beijing opera excerpts and roving entertainment. Carnival-goers also joined in the traditional lantern quiz and the fortune-telling corner. Colourful lanterns depicting scenic sights on the Mainland became popular spots for photo-taking.

    The lantern carnival will be held at Tsing Yi Park on February 22, and at Po Tsui Park in Tseung Kwan O on February 23. A seven-metre-high lantern will be set up at Tsing Yi Park and Po Tsui Park to enhance the festive mood of the carnivals. Details of the two lantern carnivals are as follows:

1. New Territories West Lunar New Year Lantern Carnival
  Date and time: February 22 (Friday), 7.30pm-10.30pm
  Venue: Tsing Yi Park
  Programmes: Chinese traditional stage arts show,
              Chinese music performance, golden
              oldies, Chinese magic, lantern quiz,
              fortune-telling and roving
              entertainment.

2. New Territories East Lunar New Year Lantern Carnival
  Date and time: February 23 (Saturday), 7.30pm-10.30pm
  Venue: Po Tsui Park, Tseung Kwan O
  Programmes: Chinese traditional stage arts show,
              chorus concert, golden oldies, Chinese
              traditional puppet and shadow show,
              lantern quiz, fortune-telling
              and roving entertainment.

    The spectacular lantern display "Light up for the Beijing Games" is lighting up the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza until March 9, while "Glowing Fuwa, Blessings for Lunar New Year" at West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade is on display until February 24. A free shuttle bus service runs between Kowloon Park (near the entrance at Austin Road) and West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade every Saturday and Sunday from 6pm to 11.15pm until February 24.

    The Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza display features a giant red arch as a symbol of good luck, through which everyone is invited to take part in celebrating the Beijing 2008 Olympics. A glittering lantern display of the Fuwa, the Beijing Olympic mascots, playing different sports on the Great Wall spreads the message "One World One Dream" - the common wish for unity, friendship and participation.

    At the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade, "Glowing Fuwa, Blessings for Lunar New Year" features the Fuwa competing in different sports. Accompanied by multicoloured pigeons, the Fuwa bring their good wishes of prosperity, happiness, passion, health and good luck to the people of Hong Kong.

    For more information on the above events, please call 2591 1340 or visit the website, www.lcsd.gov.hk/eo

Ends/Thursday, February 21, 2008
Issued at HKT 21:01

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