RECREATION AND THE ARTS
219
events during the festival included the recording of two music programmes by the BBC and an exhibition of ancient Chinese bronzes.
New Territories Arts Festivals
The Fifth Tsuen Wan Arts Festival, organised by the Cultural Services Department, the Tsuen Wan District Board, the Tsuen Wan Culture and Recreation Co-ordinating Association and the Music Office, was held from February to March. Fifty performances and four exhibitions were held at the Tsuen Wan Town Hall, while 15 shows were staged outdoors. Some 100 000 people enjoyed a variety of programmes performed by overseas, local professional and amateur artistes.
The Third Yuen Long Arts Festival was held for 17 days from February to March. Some 30 000 people attended 20 programmes and three exhibitions. The festival was jointly presented by the Yuen Long District Board, the Cultural Services Department and the Yuen Long District Arts Committee.
The Second Sha Tin Arts Fortnight, jointly presented by the Sha Tin District Board, the Cultural Services Department, the Sha Tin Arts Association and the Music Office, was held from late December 1982 to early January 1983. Nineteen performances were given at various venues in Sha Tin, while six outdoor shows and three exhibitions were also organised. Over 30 000 people attended the various programmes.
European Puppet Festival
The Urban Council's summer arts festival in 1983 took the form of a European Puppet Festival. Six of Europe's leading puppet troupes, from Belgium, England, France, Holland and West Germany took part. Some 7 000 people attended the 25 performances staged at three indoor locations, while 4 800 people were entertained at three outdoor performances.
International Film Festival
Within seven years, the Hong Kong International Film Festival, presented annually by the Urban Council, has become an important event in the calendar of international film festivals recognised by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations in Paris. In 1983 more than 77 000 people, including distinguished overseas film makers, saw 220 screenings from 30 countries, while 30 000 people visited the exhibition of posters and stills during the festival which was held from late March to early April. The festival also organised an international symposium on the cinematography of Southeast Asia and China as part of its fringe activities.
Libraries
The Urban Council operates 21 public libraries and two mobile libraries, while in the New Territories the Cultural Services Department operates 14 public libraries including one mobile library. In 1983, the Urban Council opened a new district library, a small arts library and three small static libraries; construction of the Kowloon Central Library at Pui Ching Road progressed with the first phase of the project expected to be completed during 1984; and plans were in hand to provide an independent district library in Lai Chi Kok. In the New Territories, the Cultural Services Department opened one small library and one district library; planning for new district libraries at north Kwai Chung, south Kwai Chung, Yuen Long, Sai Kung and Mui Wo continued.
During the year, 454 185 new books were acquired by the two library systems, bringing the total stock to 1.78 million volumes. Non-book materials include 4 018 newspapers and