Hong Kong Arts Festival promises stellar line-up of performances

The city's largest arts event has pledged to continue its diverse programming with local and international artists as it waits to hear whether government funding will be renewed.

The 43rd Hong Kong Arts Festival, with a record HK$112 million budget, will kick off in February 2015. In 137 shows over 34 days, some of the biggest names in music, dance and theatre will perform - including 10 world premieres, such as a local theatre work . Advance bookings will start tomorrow.

"We sort of counterbalance towards what the LCSD [Leisure and Cultural Services Department] and individual performing art groups present," said festival chairman Ronald Arculli after a press conference yesterday.

"If you look at the commitment the government has made in the West Kowloon Cultural District in terms of additional venues to be brought about, clearly the programming side is absolutely critical," he said.

On the government's funding for the next five-year cycle, he said he was "99.99 per cent" confident of the renewal.

And the ongoing protests would not impact the festival, he said. "I wouldn't connect what's happening now with the arts festival. The students have very strong feelings as to democracy and aspirations. But as far as arts and culture are concerned, it has always been valued in freedom of expression and creativity in a modern society," he said.

Tisa Ho, the festival's executive director, said the sponsors, who contributed 30 per cent of the total revenue, had been committed. "As far as I know, no one has pulled out, and I hope it will stay that way," she said.