ENG-2012 — Page 393

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Recreation, Sport and the Arts

its network of 43 outlets throughout the territory as well as internet and telephone booking services. In 2012, 5.18 million tickets with proceeds over $953 million were processed by the system.

Cultural Presentations

LCSD Cultural Presentations

The LCSD provides high quality cultural programmes throughout the year. In 2012, 992 performances were held, featuring local and visiting artists, attended by more than 488,000 people.

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the HKSAR's establishment, LCSD organised an International Military Tattoo featuring world-famous military bands and a Grand Variety Show featuring an array of distinguished Hong Kong and Mainland artists, televised in Hong Kong, the Mainland and to Chinese communities world-wide. Celebratory programmes were also organised for the 50th anniversary of the Hong Kong City Hall, including the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and Yo-Yo Ma, pipa virtuoso Lui Pui-yuen and his friends, the Borodin Quartet from Russia, and a Dance Day at the City Hall.

LCSD marked the 150th anniversary of Claude Debussy's birth with concerts featuring world- renowned artists, including pianists Krystian Zimerman, and Monique Duphil, with contributions from local musicians in recitals, chamber concerts and a mini piano marathon.

In 2012, LCSD organised the third 'Chinese Opera Festival, featuring the art of xiqu or 'Chinese traditional theatre, and in November celebrated the 10th anniversary of Cantonese Opera Day, a major event to promote the art form in the community.

Other leading programmes during the year included the San Francisco Symphony, the English Concert, Paco Peña Flamenco Dance Company from Spain, Rambert Dance Company from the UK, Verdi's La Traviata by Opera Hong Kong and Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor by Musica Viva.

The LCSD supports local artists in showcasing their talent and continues to explore alternative performance sites, such as the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences and the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre, to increase the number of alternative performance sites used in recent years. The LCSD works closely with consulates-general and foreign cultural institutions in Hong Kong to sponsor cultural exchange events such as 2012's 20th anniversary of 'Le French May!

Entertainment Programmes

In 2012, the LCSD organised 25 major carnivals and 637 district art shows, attended by about 998,000 people, featuring a range of local and overseas performances and arts.

Arts Education and Audience-building Projects

In 2012, the LCSD organised 1,248 arts education and audience-building activities in schools, community halls and other public venues to promote the arts and encourage more people to take part in cultural activities.

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