The Stuttgart Opera will present Mozart classics in a new light (credit: A.T. Schaefer)

Hong Kong will showcase as the pre-eminent cultural centre of the region at the 2003 Hong Kong Arts Festival, to be held from February 14 - March 9.

Leading artistes from around the world will perform alongside the best of Hong Kong's home-grown talent in an event renowned as a major international festival and the premier cultural event in Hong Kong.

"The festival is one of Hong Kong's world-class events and acknowledged as the pre-eminent festival in the region," executive director of Hong Kong Arts Festival Society Ltd Douglas Gautier said.

"The 2003 Hong Kong Arts Festival showcases our city as a dynamic and vibrant cultural centre, and at the same time provides a special focus for the coming together of the best of the arts, both internationally and from Hong Kong."

	The Hamburg Ballet will perform some of the signature works of legendary dance master John Neumeier (credit: Holger Badekow)

The festival will feature 36 different programmes presented in 103 performances staged over 24 days. Two exhibitions will run concurrently.

"As usual, the festival offers audiences the opportunity to sample a premium choice of events and performances - this is true not only of the outstanding array of visiting international performers, but also of the impressive contribution from the finest Hong Kong artists," Mr Gautier said.

	Maestro Kurt Masur will conduct the Orchestre National de France on its exclusive tour to Hong Kong (credit: Christian Steiner)

Highlights of the programme include maestro Kurt Masur conducting the Orchestre National de France on its exclusive tour to Hong Kong. Legendary dance master John Neumeier brings with him the Hamburg Ballet to perform some of his signature works, while William Christie leads his celebrated ensemble Les Arts Florissants. Jazz giant Herbie Hancock will perform a tribute to Davis and Coltrane, and world music sensation Cesaria Evora, the "Barefoot Diva", will captivate audiences with her inimitable style.

The festival also offers many examples of artists trying to make sense of the world in themes of creation, our past, technological advances, human relationships, life and death. These themes are examined in Steve Reich's Three Tales, Robert Lepage's the far side of the moon, and Laurie Anderson's Happiness. Audiences will also have the opportunity of seeing classics in a new light from Stuttgart Opera's fresh interpretation of Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio, to composer Mark Chan breathing new life into the Ruan Lingyu classic movie Little Toys.

	Cesaria Evora, the “Barefoot Diva”, will captivate audiences with her inimitable style (credit: Eric Mulet)

The festival will also hold a dance exchange programme showcasing dance works from South Asia. This will run concurrently with a meeting in Hong Kong of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation from the US in association with the festival. Here, more than 40 grantees of the foundation, including representatives of important arts presenters and performing venues in the US, will meet Hong Kong artistes to explore possible tours, co-commissions and collaborations.

To check the programme and booking guide visit Arts Festival on the Net at www.hkartsfestival.org