The 41st Hong Kong Arts Festival 2013 officially opens today | Over 103,000 tickets have been sold, reaching over 85% of total sales | Tickets for available performances still on offer during Festival period

Febuary 21st, 2013

(Hong Kong, 21 February 2013) The 41st Hong Kong Arts Festival (HKAF) officially opens on today with the American Ballet Theatre’s performance of Dance Gala. Hailed as one of the world’s leading classical ballet companies, the ABT also performs Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet, under the leadership of Artist Director Kevin McKenzie. This year’s Festival continues to receive an overwhelming response from audiences. As of 20 February, over 103,000 tickets have been sold, which accounts for over 85% of all seats. Tickets for available performances will continue to be offered during the Festival period.

The opening ceremony of the 41st HKAF will be officiated by The Hon C Y Leung, GBM,GBS, JP, The Chief Executive of the HKSAR; The Hon Ronald Arculli, GBM, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Festival; Dr Simon Ip, JP, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Mr Tsang Tak-sing, GBS, JP, Secretary for Home Affairs; Mr Peter Wong, JP, Chief Executive of HSBC Asia-Pacific; Mrs Betty Fung, JP, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services; and Ms Tisa Ho, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Arts Festival.

“Contributions and generous support from stakeholders of the Festival is critical in making this Festival possible. I would like to thank our stakeholders, arts and cultural institutions in particular, the Government of HKSAR, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, sponsors, donors and audiences in making the Festival a premier event in Hong Kong’s cultural calendar,” says the Hon Arculli.

The 41st HKAF performances and events will be presented in 34 locations. It offers 147 ticketed performances and another 107 PLUS events. In addition, there are 69 special activities for Young Friends of the Festival. Programmes include 13 new works/world premieres, as well as 17 Asian premieres. The Festival receives about 30% of its annual budget from government funding and the remaining 70% from box office revenue as well as sponsorships and donations from corporations, individuals, and charitable foundations.

Tickets to all Festival programmes can be purchased at all URBTIX outlets (online booking: www.urbtix.hk or telephone booking: 2111 5999). In addition, tickets to performances at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts will also be available at all HK Ticketing outlets (online booking: www.hkticketing.com or telephone booking: 31 288 288)

About the Hong Kong Arts Festival

Launched in 1973, the Hong Kong Arts Festival is a major annual international celebration of the performing arts and one of the region’s premier cultural events, held in February and March each year, serving an audience of close to 150,000. Performances take place in over a dozen venues throughout Hong Kong, supplemented by over 100 PLUS events; and about 10,000 Young Friends are given special access to Festival performances and events. The Festival presents the world’s top artists as well as stars of tomorrow and gives equal importance to great traditions and contemporary creations. The Festival also commissions and produces work in theatre, chamber opera and contemporary dance; some Festival productions have toured to other Asian cities after their Hong Kong premiere. For more information about the Hong Kong Arts Festival, please visit: www.hk.artsfestival.org.

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