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Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, a Mid-Autumn lantern carnival was held at Tung Chung Man Tung Road Park tonight (September 28), launching a series of lantern carnivals to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The carnival showcased a variety of entertainment programmes and lantern installations for public enjoyment. Carnival-goers took pleasure in the spectacular folk song, dance, instrumental and acrobatic performances given by the Hunan Arts Troupe. Demonstrations of Chinese folk craft such as Hunan's palm weaving, "nuo" masks, Tantou New Year woodprints and Xiangxi Miao painting, as well as Guangdong's clay sculpture and red clay pots, were equally well received.
Revolving around the theme of "Beauty of Tradition", the carnival also featured Chinese instrumental music, a parade of floats, lion dance, Chinese stage arts and traditional puppet shows. Splendid lanterns displaying farm life and folk toys became popular spots for photo-taking.
Spectacular lanterns are also on display at Victoria Park, such as those in the "Lantern Wonderland" organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. The Hong Kong Heritage Museum is also presenting at Victoria Park a traditional hand-made mega-size lantern in the shape of a lotus dragon soaring and dancing in the air. At Tai Po Waterfront Park, the lantern installations of "Legend Wonderland" take visitors on a lively journey embracing colourful lanterns originating from renowned Eastern and Western legends. The lantern displays at the three venues are open to the public until October 2.
The LCSD will also hold lantern carnivals at Tai Po Waterfront Park tomorrow (September 29) and at Victoria Park on Sunday (September 30). Details of the carnivals are as follows:
1. New Territories East Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival
September 29 (Saturday), 7.30pm to 10.30pm
Tai Po Waterfront Park
Programme: Spectacular Chinese ethnic dance and
songs, acrobatics, Chinese instrumental music,
puppetry, ballet, demonstration of Chinese folk
crafts, lantern quiz, outdoor film screening,
wish-making corner and lantern installations
2. Urban Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival
September 30 (Sunday), 8pm to 11pm
Victoria Park
Programme: Spectacular Chinese ethnic dance and
songs, acrobatics, fire dragon dance parade,
puppetry, demonstration of Chinese folk crafts,
lantern quiz and lantern installations
Apart from lantern carnivals, a thematic lantern exhibition, "Terracotta Warriors of the Qin Dynasty", is being held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza until October 21. Inspired by the Qin terracotta army, the display showcases the spectacle of the terracotta warriors of the Qin dynasty.
An exhibition featuring the winning designs and all entries of the 2012 Mid-Autumn Lantern Design Competition is being held at the Exhibition Hall, 1/F, Low Block, Hong Kong City Hall, from today to October 6.
People are urged not to litter or burn wax while celebrating the festival.
For more information about the lantern carnivals, please visit the website: www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Entertainment/EntertainmentOffice/events_details/12lanterncarnival/index.html.
Ends/Friday, September 28, 2012
Issued at HKT 21:30
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