A press release Tuesday said that the annual arts event, organized by the Cultural Institute with support from the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, is slated for March 8 to 24.

The festival will include performances, exhibitions and an extensive film program, said Ho Lai Chun, president of the Cultural Institute.

"All in all, there is sure to be something for every taste in a program covering dance, opera, song, puppetry, video, acrobatics and orchestral music," she told the press.

The fortnight festival will open with an acrobatic show entitled "Chinese Soul," presented by the Chinese National Acrobatic Troupe.

The closing ceremony will put the spotlight on traditional Chinese music, in a concert entitled "Chinese Roots, Macao's Heart."

In contrast to the classical performances, an Israeli ensemble and French composers will perform works of their own countries to the Macao people. Children's tastes are catered for in a puppet show from the Shanghai Puppet Troupe.

Ho said that this year's arts festival runs under the theme " Wonderful Arts, Wonderful Life" with a view to encouraging more local residents to take part in art activities and cultural life.

An extensive publicity campaign has been mounted to reach out to locals and visitors through pamphlets, video clips of the shows and promotions in and outside Macao to make sure that everyone knows what will be on offer, she said.

(Xinhua News Agency February 05, 2002)