New Vision Arts Festival highlights Hong Kong's multi-cultural society

Hong Kong's vision of becoming Asia's world city will be reflected in the staging of the month-long 'New Vision Arts Festival' which will bring together innovative, professional and outstanding cross-cultural performances from around the world.

The festival, presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will be held between October 18 and November 17 and will showcase a series of performing arts programmes that explore new elements in the traditional art form as well as new developments in Asian arts.

"The New Vision Arts Festival aims to highlight the multi-cultural make-up of Hong Kong and its cosmopolitan status. For more than a century, Hong Kong has been deeply influenced by both Eastern and Western cultures. With its open and free market economy and free flow of information, the city has built up a unique identity," Ms Cynthia Liu, the Chief Manager Arts Organisations, Festivals and Entertainment, said today (September 5).

"In recognition of the diversity of Hong Kong, the Festival has collected innovative, professional and outstanding cross-cultural performances from around the world with a focus on contemporary Asia.

"Local productions that fit in with the theme of the Festival will also be featured. The stage performances will be accompanied by a series of activities, including exhibitions, demonstrations, arts appreciation and meet-the-artists sessions for people from all walks of life."

The Festival will open with a theatrical production, 'Love in a Fallen City', which will mark 25th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre. This new version gives an updated twist to the battle of wits between Bai Liusu and Fan Liuyuan.

A feature of the programme will be renowned Tan Dun, winner of the Oscar and the Grammy for Best Original Music, in his work, 'The Gate'. The aesthetics of Chinese calligraphy and martial arts will be portrayed in the overseas premier of 'Cursive', a modern dance classic by the highly acclaimed Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan.

The fusion of ancient aboriginal culture with modern dance idioms will be reawakened by the Bangarra Dance Theatre from Australia with its performance of 'Corroboree'. Its choreographer, Stephen Page, has been appointed the Artistic Director of the 2004 Adelaide Festival.

The extraordinary, 'Hashirigaki' by the Theatre Vidy-Lausanne from Switzerland is a multi-media music theatre with exquisite imagery. The production earned its director, Heiner Goebbels, the Herald Angel Award in the 2001 Edinburgh Festival.

Lovers of music will be inspired by the harmonious sounds of 'The Lost Horizon', a dreamscape based on the music by Xu Lei of China and Jyoji Sawada of Japan together with Chinese Huqin performer Teresa Wong. Jazz fans will be treated to concerts by Bill Bruford and his group Earthworks with special guest appearance by Hong Kong personality Eugene Pao; and Zakir Hussain with his American group Summit. A balalaika ensemble from Russia will present two concerts and there will be performances by an experimental Kunqu opera production from Beijing; a humorous drama by Hong Kong's Chung Ying Theatre Company; a play by the Zuni Icosahedron group; a joint production by First Voice from the United States and Hong Kong's No Man's Land; and a dance poem by the Hong Kong Dance Company.

Full programme details are available from URBTIX outlets or through the web-site www.newvisionartsfest.com.hk.

Ends/Thursday, September 5, 2002