The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is holding the lantern carnival at Victoria Park tonight (October 4), featuring a series of entertainment programmes and spectacular lantern displays to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.

     Decorated with dazzling lanterns, Victoria Park is filled with festive joy. Among the displays are lighting installations created by two artists with the themes of "Moon Hunt" and "Reunion". The interactive installation "Moon Hunt" invites visitors to a moon hunting journey to recollect childhood memories. "Reunion", with adorable rabbit lanterns, showcases more than 300 lanterns made by members of the community including students, the elderly and ethnic groups to symbolise a joyous reunion.

     Other spectacular lanterns have also become hot spots for photo-taking at the carnival, such as lantern displays in the shape of women's cheongsams crafted by a local master and organised by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office of the LCSD; a thematic display entitled "Under the Same Starry Sky", telling stories of acquaintances; and a lantern display by primary and secondary school students.

     Members of the public are also enjoying the carnival's festive programmes. The highlights include spectacular Chinese ethnic dances, songs, and acrobatic shows by the Jiangsu Arts Troupe. There are also folk craft demonstrations by Guangdong and local masters including Chaozhou embroidery, Guangdong inside painting of snuff bottles, birdcage production and Hakka embroidered band knitting craftsmanship.

     A Chinese orchestral performance as well as marching band, music and dance performances are boosting the fun of the carnival, while other entertaining programmes such as a creative market, a wish-making corner and a lantern riddle quiz are further key attractions.

     This year, the LCSD has continued to co-operate with the Tai Hang Residents' Welfare Association in bringing the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, a local item which has been inscribed onto the national list of intangible cultural heritage, into Victoria Park as a grand finale of the carnival.

     The LCSD will also hold two other lantern carnivals tomorrow (October 5) and on Friday (October 6), with details as follows:

1. New Territories East Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival
   October 5 (Thursday), 7.30pm to 10pm
   Sha Tin Park
   Programmes: Spectacular Chinese ethnic dances and songs, acrobatics, demonstrations of Guangdong and Hong Kong folk crafts, music and dance performances, a magic show, juggling clown performances, traditional snack stalls, game booths, a Chinese chess corner, a tea tasting workshop, a wish-making corner and lantern riddles.
   Lantern display period: from now until October 8

2. New Territories West Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival
   October 6 (Friday), 7.30pm to 10pm
   Tsing Yi Park
   Programmes: Spectacular Chinese ethnic dances and songs, acrobatics, demonstrations of Guangdong and Hong Kong folk crafts, music and dance performances, a lion dance performance, a bubble show, an African drum performance and workshop, a wish-making corner and lantern riddles.
   Lantern display period: from now until October 8

     Meanwhile, a thematic lantern display entitled "Enchanted Blossom under the Moon" is being held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza until October 15, featuring festive lantern displays of blossom fairies dancing gracefully in a sea of flowers to celebrate the beauty of the autumn moon.

     People are urged not to litter or burn wax while celebrating the festival.

     The LCSD's Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival is one of the programmes celebrating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

     For more information on the above programmes, please visit the website:
www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/eo/territoryevents/midautumnlantern/midAutumn2017.html.

Ends/Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Issued at HKT 20:30

NNNN