40th Hong Kong Arts Festival 2012 Officially opens tomorrow (31 Jan) Over 116,000 tickets have been sold, coming to 85% of total sales

January 30th, 2012

The 40th Hong Kong Arts Festival (HKAF) opens tomorrow with the Hamburg Ballet’s performance of Third Symphony of Gustav Mahler choreographed by John Neumeier, to be followed by his other signature piece A Streetcar Named Desire. As of 30 January, over 116,000 tickets have been sold, which accounts for 85% of all seats.

This year’s Festival continues to receive an overwhelming response from audiences. Of the 170 performances, over 100 performances have attained 90% ticket sales. In view of the overwhelming demand, six extra performances have been added. Tickets for available performances will continue to be offered during the Festival period.

The opening ceremony of the 40th HKAF is held in the foyer of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The Honourable Mr Donald Tsang, the Chief Executive of the HKSAR and Patron of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, officiates the ceremony together with Mr Charles Lee, GBM, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Festival; Mr T Brian Stevenson, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Mr Raymond Young Lap-moon, Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs; Mrs Betty Fung, JP, Director of the Leisure and Cultural Services; and Ms Tisa Ho, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Arts Festival.

Among the exciting line-up, the 40th HKAF includes 12 new works/world premieres, as well as ten Asian premieres. In addition, a Festival symposium, a series of guided tours, masterclasses, workshops, together with a series of activities supported by the Urban Renewal Authority will be presented under Festival PLUS.

To celebrate the 40 anniversary, a special exhibition showcasing 40 years of Hong Kong Arts Festival Posters will be held at the foyer of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre from 31 January to 4 March. Admission is free and this is the first time iconic Festival imagery has been displayed.

As an annual international event, the HKAF focuses on the best international performing arts along with vibrant contributions from Hong Kong's creative talent. It also includes a strong regional Asian component, and serves as a showcase for the best contemporary and traditional performing arts in China.

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