RECREATION, SPORT AND THE ARTS
Vista Social Club from Cuba, legendary singer Nana Mouskouri, and the Peter Schaufuss Ballet from Denmark.
International Arts Carnival
To provide children and families of Hong Kong with cultural and entertainment programmes of a healthy and educational nature, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department presented the six-week International Arts Carnival in summer. Pre- carnival activities aimed at arousing community interest in the event included the '21st Century School Pioneer Project' for 49 primary schools, a dramatist's tour to 30 kindergartens and a graphic design competition for primary and secondary school pupils. The carnival opened with an outdoor fun-fair and the Shaolin Heroes, a theatrical performance of martial arts by the Shaolin Martial Monks Troupe of Songshan. Altogether, 399 events, featuring 28 local arts groups and 18 overseas groups, were presented. The events comprised stage and free performances, participatory workshops, exhibitions, and guided tours of performing arts venues and heritage trails. About 170 000 people attended the carnival.
'Legends of China' Festival
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department presented the thematic festival, Legends of China, from mid-October to early December. It aimed to promote understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture and history. The six-week arts festival offered a wide variety of stage performances at major performing arts venues. The festival programmes featured a selection of representative figures in Chinese history, literature and legends that encapsulated the rich and multifarious development of the arts in China. Recent productions of major Mainland performing companies were presented, including Peking Opera, a dance poem, symphonic music, drama, puppets and Chiu Chow Opera. Local artist groups were commissioned to produce drama and multimedia theatrical productions in line with the festival theme. The festival featured 26 artist groups in 108 events, including stage and free performances, exhibitions, lectures and demonstrations. Some of the events were participatory, and a total of 93 410 people took part.
Heritage
The Antiquities and Monuments Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, under the guidance of the Antiquities Advisory Board, continued to preserve Hong Kong's cultural heritage and promote public awareness of it through exhibitions, guided tours, publications and community involvement projects.
Advised by the Antiquities Advisory Board, the Secretary for Home Affairs is the authority for implementing the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance. The Secretary exercises his responsibilities through the Antiquities and Monuments Office.
Antiquities Advisory Board and Antiquities and Monuments Office
The Antiquities Advisory Board, which has 20 appointed members, advises the Government on sites and structures that merit protection by being declared as monuments. The Tsui Sing Lau Pagoda, Tang Ancestral Hall and Yu Kiu Ancestral Hall in Ping Shan, Yuen Long were declared as monuments on December 14.
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