ENG-1990 — Page 378

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RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

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Apart from the presentation of Hong Kong Video Works 1989 in recognition of the achievements of local independent film-makers, homage was paid to the late Cantonese operatic artiste Yum Kim-fai by featuring some of her famous works.

The Asian programme included productions by talented film-makers such as Xie Fei's Black Snow (Golden Bear Award, Berlin) and Bae Yong-kyun's Why did Bohdidharma Go East (Grand Prix, Locarno).

The topic of the Hong Kong Cinema Retrospective was the China Factor in Hong Kong Cinema. It comprised 28 films which attempted to look into the spectrum of Chinese culture and history as defined in Hong Kong cinema and the way in which tradition played a role in shaping this cinematic outlook.

Other festival events were a Stills and Posters exhibition, discussion sessions with film- makers, and a seminar on the China Factor in Hong Kong Cinema. The festival attracted more than 100 000 film goers.

The International Arts Carnival

The International Arts Carnival, held from July 20 to August 5, was the ninth annual summer festival organised by the Urban Council to promote the interest of children and young people in the performing arts and to provide them with entertaining and educational cultural programmes during their summer vacation.

The programme included five overseas and four local groups in a wide variety of art forms such as children's musicals, black light theatre, magic, puppetry, drama and shadow play. Thirty performances were staged at the City Hall and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

Three outdoor funfairs were held at the Piazza of the Cultural Centre. In addition, arts and crafts activities as well as entertaining performances were organised for family audiences.

A poster design competition was held before the carnival to encourage young people's interest in artistic creativity. Winning entries were displayed in the main lobby of the Cultural Centre during the carnival.

Festival of Asian Arts

The 13th Festival of Asian Arts, which is one of the most important international cultural events in the region, was held from October 12 to November 2 and featured 15 overseas and seven local groups.

Performers from Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Taiwan and Thailand presented various facets of Asian culture ranging from contemporary jazz music and modern dance theatre to ritual dances and classical theatre. A Colloquium on Music Cultures of China's South-eastern Coastal Region was organised.

Performances took place at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, Grand Theatre and Studio Theatre, City Hall Theatre and Recital Hall and the Hong Kong Space Museum Lecture Hall. In addition, free performances were also staged in shopping arcades.

The festival included lectures and demonstrations by visiting and local artists to promote appreciation and understanding of Asian performing arts. Two museum exhibitions were held to coincide with the festival.