ENG-1992 — Page 380

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

In 1992 the centre was visited by over 1.1 million people, many of whom attended the 910 stage and screen performances, 70 exhibitions and 372 arts-related classes and courses held within its venues. Highlights of the year included the exhibitions Man Ray - The Bazaar Years: A Fashion Retrospective; The Graphic Art of Wilfredo Lam and the Manulife Young Artists Series; and the film programmes Life as a Magic Lantern: An Ingmar Bergman Restrospective; and Whirlwind from the East: An East European Film Festival.

British Council

One of the aims of the British Council in Hong Kong is to foster cultural understanding between Britain and Hong Kong through a balanced programme of music, drama, dance, exhibitions, film shows and related masterclasses and workshops catering to the interests of local residents. The council works in conjunction with local organisations and supports collaborative projects between British artists and local performing companies.

In 1992 the council co-organised a number of arts events with local organisations including the Theatre de Complicite performing The Winter's Tale, the Nash Ensemble and the opera Tosca produced by Stephen Lawless during the Hong Kong Arts Festival and several acts in the Hong Kong Festival Fringe. It also co-organised a visit by the London Festival Orchestra, a Beatles retrospective of film shows, an exhibition sponsored by Thorn EMI and an environmental theatre project on Stonecutters Island jointly presented with the Chung Ying Theatre Company, sponsored by the David Shepherd Conservation Foundation.

Cultural Events

Hong Kong Arts Festival

Since its founding in 1973, the Hong Kong Arts Festival has been bringing rich artistic experience to the people of Hong Kong. In 1992, over 90 000 people attended 124 per- formances in a festival lasting 23 days.

To celebrate its 20th anniversary and salute the achievements of local artists and arts organisations over the years, the festival opened with a Hong Kong Performing Arts Day. Local arts companies performed in various cultural venues while young musicians, dancers and actors provided six hours of non-stop entertainment in the Cultural Centre foyer and piazza.

Highlights of the festival included the renowned Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, vocalist Grace Bumbry, a special opera production of Tosca, and a series of programmes focusing on the arts scene of a rapidly changing Europe.

The New Spirit of Europe was explored in programmes featuring avant-garde companies such as Hungary's Katona Jozsef Theatre, Britain's Theatre de Complicité, Sweden's Cullberg Ballet, and La La La Human Steps from Montreal, North America's European metropolis. The Zurich New Music Ensemble offered an interpretation of the continent's latest music and two new works (including a commissioned piece) by Hong Kong composers. Scotswoman Evelyn Glennie gave the territory its first ever percussion recital, the programme of which included a commissioned work by a local composer.

The festival's programme was also noted for its diversity. Africa Oyé brought extra- ordinary sights and sounds to Hong Kong's urban environment. Asian presentations included the Shanghai Kunju Opera Troupe, the Umewaka Noh Theatre Company, and

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