The Hong Kong Ballet Group is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a performance of Swan Lake
Animal Olympics by Danceart will appeal to the many children in the audience

The International Arts Carnival returns to Hong Kong this summer, with a more packed programme than ever for audiences to choose from. Performances will include acrobatics, music, dance, drama, puppetry, film and more during the carnival, which runs from 14 July to 29 August.

Theatre companies and performing artists from Australia, Japan, Spain, Canada, South Korea, China and Hong Kong will put on shows at the Carnival. The event will be kicked off with the Hong Kong debut of "Dreamscape - the secret garden of Guizhou", an award-winning display of 25 acrobatic acts and dances, and voted one of the Top Ten Outstanding Stage Arts projects in China 2002/03.

Other programme highlights include the Hong Kong Ballet's Swan Lake, the folk ballet "Cobbler's princess" by the Ukrainian Shumka Dance Company from Canada, "Animal Olympics" by Danceart Hong Kong, and the brand new Wizard of Oz by Jumbo Kids Theatre.

"Hong Kong has been a cultural and arts hub for many years, but this role is strengthening," said Ms Elaine Yeung, senior manager (Festivals Office) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government. "Families can go to a different performance every night in Hong Kong if they wish. For the International Arts Carnival, we try to provide something a little bit different and more entertaining."

The Carnival also provides a series of participatory activities such as pre-carnival school outreach activities, workshops, exhibitions, guided tours of cultural venues and outdoor fun days.

"The Carnival is an excellent opportunity for overseas theatre groups and dance troupes to showcase new styles in Hong Kong," said Ms Yeung.