Hong Kong 2006 - Recreation, Sport and the Arts

The Cultural Presentations Section provides quality cultural programmes on a year-round basis. In 2006, 971 performances were presented, featuring local and visiting artists in a variety of shows that appealed to audiences of all ages. More than 520 900 people attended those shows.

Year 2006 was known as the 'Mozart Year'. A string of excellent musical performances was held throughout the year to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Mozart. They included concerts by Vienna Philharmonic, Camerata Salzburg, London Winds, Vienna Boys' Choir, and Anne-Sophie Mutter, and others. A live relay of the Vienna Philharmonic concerts at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall to the outdoor piazza also drew large audiences. The finale of the Mozart Series Everlasting Mozart — Piano Marathon was a resounding success.

Highlights of dance programmes presented during the year included the Eifman Ballet of St Petersburg from Russia and Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company from Italy. Quality performances by local dance companies were also staged to enhance the local dance scene.

To commemorate the centenary of the death of playwright Ibsen, his masterpiece Doll House performed by Mabou Mines Company (United States) and The Wild Duck produced by the Hong Kong Federation of Drama Societies were presented by the department.

Creating greater appreciation of Chinese opera is a key objective of the department. In line with this aim, it organised the fourth Cantonese Opera Day which was held on the last Sunday in November. The event was part of the 'Bravo! A Cantonese Opera Fiesta!' series. Newly commissioned works included Recollection of Dreams, Nine Heroines of the Tang Dynasty, the Ravaged Plum Blossoms Bloom Again and a special programme to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of veteran artist Sit Kok-sin.

Chinese opera highlights from other regions included the Peking Opera Gala and a re-run of the young cast Kunqu Opera The Peony Pavilion produced by Pai Hsien-yung.

The LCSD also presents a diverse range of thematic film programmes and cooperates with consulates in Hong Kong, and cultural and film institutions to present film and video shows. Major programmes in 2006 included The Glorious Modernity of Kong Ngee, the International Children's Film Carnival, A Retrospective of Mainland-Hong Kong Co-productions of the 80s and 90s, the Microwave International New Media Arts Festival and the 35th French Cinepanorama.

The LCSD also assisted in the holding of major local film events by providing venues for them to be staged. These events included the annual Hong Kong International Film Festival and Hong Kong Film Awards Presentation Ceremony. The LCSD provides funds to the Hong Kong Arts Centre to hold its annual Hong Kong Independent Short Film and Video Awards ceremony.

The department continued to cooperate with consulates-general and cultural institutions to promote cultural exchanges and to sponsor cultural events such as the Le French May, the Year of Italy in China and the Year of Russia in China.

During the year, a total of 651 carnivals and entertainment programmes were organised by the LCSD. More than 1 million people turned up to these events.

Outdoor extravaganzas included the Lunar New Year Lantern Carnival, Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival and the New Year's Eve Countdown Carnival. A new Youth Band Marathon was introduced during the year, featuring local youth bands that performed in different styles and catered to different tastes. The summer highlight, 'O₂ Recharge Station', was staged in Stanley and Sai Kung. This year's Asian Ethnic Cultural Programmes featured Korean artists performing both traditional and modern dance and rendered a similar mix of music.

The LCSD promotes appreciation of the performing arts at community and school levels with the help of audience-building schemes and educational programmes, and by working with local arts groups and educational organisations.

During the year, the department held a total of 904 arts education and audience-building activities. Under the School Culture Day Scheme, schools take their students to the department's performing venues, museums and libraries during school hours. The School Arts Animateur Scheme was another programme that brought local groups together to provide training in the performing arts for school children.

Community audience building programmes during the year included the Community Cultural Ambassador Scheme and the District Cantonese Opera Parade. A Cultural Services Volunteers Scheme was also organised to get members of the public to serve as volunteers in their leisure time to promote arts and culture.