ENG-1994 — Page 438

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

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International Children's Arts Festival

The International Children's Arts Festival, which entered its fifth year in 1994, is an annual summer event organised by the Regional Council for young audiences and their families to participate in cultural activities.

Highlights of the 1994 festival included the Trestle Theatre Company from Britain, Quanzhou Puppet Theatre Troupe from China, Fred Garbo and Daielma Santos from the United States and the Regional Council-commissioned programme La Fille Mal Gardee presented by the Hong Kong Ballet. Contributions from other local artists included The Harmony of Music by the Hong Kong Symphony Orchestra, the choral gala of the New Territories District Children Choirs Association of Hong Kong, the musical drama Cinderella by the Anonymity Theatre Company and the drama A Voyage to Jichun River from the Sha Tin Theatre Company. Apart from the popular children's drama workshops Story-telling Time and Story-building Time led by the Chung Ying Theatre, there were also magic, handicraft, music and games workshops. The activities were designed to encourage children to stretch their imagination and to appreciate different forms of the performing arts through hands-on experience.

In total, the festival featured three fun days, 34 workshops and 37 stage performances, drawing an attendance of 23 109.

Dance and Drama Animateur Schemes

The council continued to co-operate with the City Contemporary Dance Company and the Prospects Theatre Company in the Animateur Schemes covering modern dance and drama. These two schemes aim to build up interest in these art forms by way of outreach classes and performances. In all, 29 schools and 780 participants joined the two schemes. -

District Arts Support Scheme

To provide greater support to non-profit-making cultural organisations at the district level, the council introduced a District Arts Support Scheme in February. The scheme aims to give increased support to performing, visual and literary arts activities by district organisations, in the form of free use of civic centre facilities and/or a cash subsidy.

In 1994, a total of 41 programmes were organised under the scheme.

Entertainment Programmes

The council regularly presents free cultural and entertainment programmes in community halls, playgrounds and open space areas for residents in the nearby neighbourhoods. In 1994, 387 programmes were organised, attracting 218 900 people.

The programmes, ranging from the traditional and folkloric to the modern and popular, not only entertained local residents and casual passers-by, but helped preserve aspects of Chinese cultural heritage, such as puppetry and acrobatic arts.

The Arts in Blossom Scheme continued to provide opportunities for budding and amateur artists to build up stage experience through regular performances.

Visual Arts

The council's Best of Visual Arts scheme provides opportunities for local visual artists to exhibit their works in major civic centres. Under this scheme, local artists and arts