Hong Kong Arts Festival

Held annually in February and March, the Hong Kong Arts Festival is the most important international festival in the Far East and has become highly regarded world-wide since it began in 1973. With a fine array of performers taking part, the 2002 festival sold over 92 195 tickets in 119 performances, with the average attendance exceeding 86 per cent. The programme included the Bolshoi Opera's production of Boris Godunov and The Love for Three Oranges; Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra; Raise the Red Lantern, a ballet adapted from the novel of the same name and directed by Zhang Yimou; Batsheva Dance Company from Israel; the Mingus Big Band from the United States; and fado singer Mísia.

International Arts Carnival 2002

To provide children and families of Hong Kong with cultural and entertainment programmes of a healthy and educational nature, the LCSD presented the six-week International Arts Carnival in summer. Prior to the carnival, to arouse community interest, three drama outreach teams promoted arts activities at various schools and kindergartens. A graphic design competition was open to all primary and secondary school students. The carnival included intensive arts workshops and day camps. About 160 000 people took part in 466 events that featured 17 local groups and 11 overseas groups.

New Vision Arts Festival

The LCSD presented a new festival from mid-October to mid-November, the New Vision Arts Festival, showcasing Hong Kong as a multicultural and cosmopolitan city in Asia. Innovative cross-cultural programmes focusing on contemporary Asian arts were produced. Acclaimed composer Tan Dun and choreographer Lin Hwai-min presented their latest works. Many of the programmes were multimedia productions including the opening show, Love in a Fallen City, a Hong Kong Repertory Theatre production. Apart from stage performances, the festival included a wide range of activities for free participation such as an environmental dance, lectures and demonstrations, arts appreciation workshops and meet-the-artists sessions. Altogether, a total of 76 events featuring eight local groups and 16 overseas groups were presented for some 63 800 participants.