42nd Hong Kong Arts Festival 2014 officially opens today | Over 98,000 tickets have been sold, reaching 85% of total sales | Tickets for available performances still on offer during Festival period

(Hong Kong, 18 February 2014) The 42nd Hong Kong Arts Festival (HKAF) officially opens today with the performance by the Guerzenich Orchestra Cologne under the baton of Markus Stenz. This year’s HKAF presents a total of 138 performances from today until 23 March. Over 98,000 tickets have been sold as of 17 February, which accounts for over 85% of all seats. The attendance rate is expected to increase as tickets for available performances are still on offer during the Festival period.
The opening ceremony of the 42nd HKAF is officiated by The Hon C Y Leung, GBM,GBS, JP, The Chief Executive of the HKSAR; The Hon Ronald Arculli, GBM, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Festival; Mr Brian Stevenson, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Mr Tsang Tak-sing, GBS, JP, Secretary for Home Affairs; Mr Peter Wong, JP, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited is the sponsor of the Festival Opening performance); Mrs Betty Fung, JP, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services; and Ms Tisa Ho, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Arts Festival.
In addition to the 138 performances, two of which are free performances, the 42nd HKAF offers 222 PLUS events and 81 activities for Young Friends of the Festival. Programmes include 21 new works/world premieres, as well as 16 Asian premieres.
Tickets to all Festival programmes can be purchased at all URBTIX outlets (online booking: www.urbtix.hk or telephone booking: 2111 5999). In addition, tickets to performances at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts will also be available at all HK Ticketing outlets (online booking: www.hkticketing.com or telephone booking: 31 288 288)
About the Hong Kong Arts Festival
Launched in 1973, the Hong Kong Arts Festival is a major international arts festival committed to enriching the life of the city by presenting about 150 performances and 250 PLUS and educational events in February and March every year. The Festival presents the world’s top artists as well as stars of tomorrow and gives equal importance to great traditions and contemporary creations. The Festival also commissions and produces work in theatre, chamber opera and contemporary dance by Hong Kong’s own creative talents and emerging artists. Many Festival productions have had successful runs in Asia after their Hong Kong premiere. The Festival is a non-profit organisation, with about 30% of annual revenue from government funding, around 40% from the box office, and the remaining 30% from sponsorships and donations from corporations, individuals, and charitable foundations. For more information about the Hong Kong Arts Festival, please visit: www.hk.artsfestival.org.