ENG-1994 — Page 437

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

Festival of Asian Arts

The 15th Festival of Asian Arts was held over three weeks in October and November, featuring 16 overseas and 10 local performing groups. Groups from Mongolia, Tuva and Vietnam participated for the first time.

Apart from the main performances, there were recitals, workshops, lecture demonstra- tions and free outdoor performances. Related exhibitions included the Contemporary Hong Kong Art Biennial Exhibition '94 and the Eye on Israel photo exhibition. A conference on Asian performing arts was also held in association with the International Association of Theatre Critics (Hong Kong), attracting speakers from various countries.

The festival attracted a total of 125 160 people.

International Arts Carnival

The annual International Arts Carnival entered its 13th year in 1994. It took place in July and featured 30 performances of visual theatre, magic, mime, puppetry, foyer concerts, ballet and children's drama. The shows were staged by four overseas and seven local groups.

Other special features of the festival included a poster design competition and exhibition, free workshops on puppetry, and a free outdoor fun fair.

The total attendance was 84 120.

Entertainment Programmes

During the year, the Urban Council staged 225 entertainment programmes in parks, play- grounds, community halls, housing estates and community arts centres in the urban areas. The programmes, most of which were free, were attended by over 84 800 people.

Annual territory-wide events organised by the council included the Spring Lantern Festival, Summer Fun Festival, Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival, Christmas Carnival and the District Cantonese Opera Parade. On December 31, the council organised a large-scale New Year's Eve celebration event for the first time. About 378 000 people attended these

events.

Regional Council Presentations

In 1994, overseas artists appearing under the council's auspices included the Moscow City Ballet, the maestro Marcel Marceau from France, pianist Ivo Pogorelich, I Musici de Montreal from Canada, the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra and the Trestle Theatre from Britain. The Chinese element in the overall programme mix was also intensified. This was reflected in a series of Chinese instrumental concerts featuring instrumentalist Zhan Yong-ming and the National Ensemble of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, the China Qian Wei Chinese Orchestra and the Chinese Chamber Orchestra of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

During the year, the council collaborated with the Hong Kong Arts Festival to present the Ballet du Rhin, as well as the St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the Suk Chamber Orchestra, the Exxon Divertimenti Concert featuring local jazz artists, and the Shanghai Puppet Theatre. Local professional companies also featured strongly on the council's list of presentations. In 1994, the 596 programmes presented by the council reached a total audience of 310 564.

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