Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the New Vision Arts Festival (NVAF) will be held from October 20 to November 19, showcasing an array of interdisciplinary programmes by overseas and local performing groups and artists. An early bird discount of 30 per cent off all full-price tickets for stage programmes will end on September 5, after which the discount will be less. Audience members should act fast to enjoy the best discount.
 
     This year's NVAF will feature 10 amazing stage programmes. They include:
 
1) Opening programme: "Double Murder", a double bill by internationally celebrated Israeli-British choreographer Hofesh Shechter;
2) "INK" by internationally acclaimed Greek choreographer Dimitris Papaioannou, who will perform onstage for the first time in a decade;
3) "RAIN", a dance adaptation of classic literature by Aichi Prefectural Art Theater and Dance Base Yokohama from Japan;
4) "The Once and Future", a seamless blend of film, live music, vocals and a laser display;
5) "Tao of Glass" (Asian premiere), co-created by minimalist music legend Philip Glass from the United States and British Olivier award-winning director Phelim McDermott;
6) "Book of Mountains and Seas" (Asian premiere), a contemporary vocal puppetry theatre work that recasts well-known ancient Chinese mythology;
7) "In the Name of Hanjin", an immersive audio theatre work by multi-talented musician Hanjin Tan;
8) "The Old Man and His Sea", a production fusing contemporary theatre with Chinese opera by Yuen Siu-fai and Tang Shu-wing;
9) "Bach im Theater: St. John Passion", a production fusing Baroque music with contemporary theatre; and
10) "Oh, To Believe In Another World" (Asian premiere), a film by renowned contemporary artist William Kentridge, with live music by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta.
 
     Tickets for the NVAF early bird offer are available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) until September 5. For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288, or use the mobile ticketing app "URBTIX".
 
     In addition to stage performances, the NVAF continues to offer various fringe activities and online programmes such as masterclasses, workshops, stage tours, talks and an exhibition. Moreover, the NVAF will again curate the "Weekend Culture Salon" and "Online Reviews" series with the International Association of Theatre Critics (Hong Kong), in which pre- and post-performance events will be held to complete the audience experience.
 
     All tickets (including those for stage programmes, masterclasses, workshops, backstage and stage tours) will be available at URBTIX from September 8 after the early bird discount ends. Various discount schemes, including the newly introduced weekend package booking discount, will be offered.
 
     For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.nvaf.gov.hk.

        

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 is 105.3 (same as yesterday's index).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     Exchange Fund Bills tender results:
 

 
*"Pro rata ratio" refers to the average percentage of allotment with respect to each tender participant's tendered amount at the "highest yield accepted" level. 
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     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning September 4, 2023:
 

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     Members of the public are advised to report any street flooding that comes to their notice to the Drainage Services Department by calling the 24-hour drainage hotline on 2300 1110.

     The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau is inviting a new round of applications under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Activity and Research Sponsorship Scheme.

     The Sponsorship Scheme aims to encourage different groups or organisations to promote the Constitution, the Basic Law and the National Security Law to the public and to conduct relevant research, with a view to enhancing public understanding of and support for the three laws and the "one country, two systems" principle.

     Application information can be downloaded from the Basic Law website (www.basiclaw.gov.hk/en/committee/sponsorship.html). The deadline for applications is October 3, 2023.
 
     For enquiries, please contact the Secretariat of the Sponsorship Scheme at 2810 2106.