image_pdfimage_print

Author Archives: hksar gov

World Cultures Festival on Nordic arts offers 30 per cent off early bird discount until September 4 (with photos)

     The World Cultures Festival (WCF) will be held from October 18 to November 17 to showcase the artistic gems of five Nordic countries: Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Iceland. An early bird discount of 30 per cent off all full-price tickets on stage programmes will be offered from today (August 5) to September 4.
 
     Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the WCF programme encompasses music, dance, drama, literature, circus arts and more to engage audiences on the past, the present and the future through inclusive, people-oriented themes and a focus on key social issues.  
 
     An operatic version of Ingmar Bergman’s noted film “Autumn Sonata” will open the festival. Enthrallingly converted into a two-act opera, the work by Finnish composer Sebastian Fagerlund adds an intense musical angst to the raw truths bared in the tale of an inharmonious relationship between a concert pianist and her daughters.

     Human nature is examined in an unconventional Norwegian ballet, “Ghosts”, which reinterprets a play by Henrik Ibsen for modern times. With original music by Sigur Rós, the Icelandic contemporary dance production “The Best of Darkness” wrestles with the inner vulnerabilities of humans. In “Breath”, two masterly avant-garde Finnish performers, Tero Saarinen and Kimmo Pohjonen, showcase breathtaking dance, music and visual effects, while hearing-impaired Finnish rapper Signmark voices out themes of equality and inclusiveness in his songs and music.

     Sweden’s “Limits” by Cirkus Cirkör brilliantly deploys the techniques of cirque nouveau, stretching physical frontiers and soaring beyond borders to reflect on the global refugee crisis. The Danish multimedia production “NeoArctic” takes audiences to a visual-music journey addressing an ecosystem emergency. Renowned theatre director Eugenio Barba directs the acclaimed Odin Teatret in “The Chronic Life”, in which the Danish-based acting lab delves into the disoriented times of 2031.
 
     Finland’s “Arctic Odyssey” is a spell-binding encounter with the eclectic arts of indigenous people from diverse regions of the far north. “The Sounds of Finland” connects innovation and tradition in a concert centred on the zither-like kantele, an instrument with a history of more than 1 000 years. In addition, Nordic and local groups will present an upbeat sonic celebration spotlighting women singers in the “Nordic & Hong Kong Band Sound Gala”.
 
     The WCF will have a refreshing “Nordic Café” series that will turn the Hong Kong Cultural Centre’s Studio Theatre into an informal salon for the enjoyment of chamber music, play reading and improvisational theatre while attendees comfortably enjoy snacks and drinks.
 
     Tickets for the WCF early bird offer are available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) from today until September 4. For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999.
 
     For programme enquiries, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.worldfestival.gov.hk.

Photo  Photo  Photo  
read more

HAD to open temporary night heat shelters

     The Home Affairs Department will open 19 temporary night heat shelters tonight (August 5) for people in need of the service.
 
     The shelters will be open from 10.30pm until 8am tomorrow.
 
     For further information, please call the department’s hotline before midnight on 2835 1473.
 
     The 19 night heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Districts:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
 
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin

Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate
Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building,
39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

     The temporary night heat shelters will resume their functions as either community centres or community halls in the daytime for hire by the local community and cannot continue to be open as heat shelters. People may choose to take refuge from the heat during the daytime in the common areas in any of the 20 designated community centres or community halls. Their opening hours are from 9am to 10pm. For addresses of the community centres or community halls, please browse the following webpage: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf. read more