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The annual International Arts Carnival opened today (July 3) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Officiating at the opening ceremony tonight was the Under Secretary for Home Affairs, Ms Florence Hui Hiu-fai.
Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the annual summer arts festival, running from July 3 to August 9, features over 390 events for family enjoyment.
This year, in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, the Carnival specially features two fabulous programmes from the Mainland. They include tonight's opening programme "Genghis Khan" performed by the award-winning Inner Mongolia Acrobatic Troupe of China and "The Carnival of Chinese Puppets" by three leading puppet troupes in China.
With exotic Mongolian music and modern stage techniques, the sensational three-act production "Genghis Khan" showcases traditional Mongolian feats of archery, wrestling and horse racing which are transformed into breathtaking acrobatic stunts, along with such equally jaw-dropping juggling acts as lamp-rolling and bowl-kicking.
The Inner Mongolia Acrobatic Troupe of China has enjoyed a high reputation at home and abroad. The troupe has been awarded over 40 prizes at acrobatics competitions and festivals worldwide, including the Gold Lion Prize at the All China Acrobatics Competition, the gold medal at the Worldwide Festival of the Circus of Tomorrow in France, the gold medal at the Rome Golden Circus Festival and the gold prize at the April Spring Friendship Art Festival in Korea.
"Genghis Khan" is performed between today and July 5 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Limited tickets are available.
Other performances in the line-up include dance theatre, mask theatre, multi-media theatre, musical, puppetry, Chinese and Western music, comedy, juggling.
Apart from performances, there are extension activities, such as outdoor carnival "Journey of Fantasy", workshops, foyer demonstration, exhibitions and cultural tours throughout the carnival period.
The free outdoor carnival "Journey of Fantasy" featuring musical, dance, drama and puppet show will be held tomorrow (July 4) and this Sunday (July 5) between 3.30pm and 6.30pm at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza.
Tickets priced from $40 to $300 are available at URBTIX outlets. Half-price tickets are available for full-time students, senior citizens aged 60 and above, people with disabilities and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Package discounts of up to 20% are available for full-price performing arts/films programmes.
Programme guides are available at URBTIX outlets or at the website, www.hkiac.gov.hk
For programme enquiries, call 2370 1044. Internet bookings can be made at www.urbtix.hk. Credit card telephone bookings can be made on 2111 5999 and telephone reservations on 2734 9009.
Ends/Friday, July 3, 2009
Issued at HKT 20:17
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