The Hong Kong Leisure and  Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will present a spectacular  arts festival "Legends of China" this autumn from October 19 to  December 2, featuring around 100 performances and extension  activities.
  "The Legends of China Festival aims to promote understanding in and appreciation of Chinese culture and art," Chief Manager of  LCSD, Cynthia Liu, told a press conference on Thursday.
  The festival features a selection of programs that attribute to the best known personalities from Chinese history, literature,  education, folklore, legends and myths. They reflect the rich  tapestry of Chinese culture through various art forms, accordint  to Liu.
  It showcases the traditional arts Kunqu opera and Peking opera  from the north; Cantonese opera, Chiu Chow opera and Cantonese  ancient operatic singing from the south; new theater ventures  interwoven by traditional and modern techniques; symphonic poem  assimilating the eastern and western cultures; music; dance;  multimedia theater and puppet shows.
  The festival features some highly acclaimed productions  recently developed in the Chinese mainland. The opening program by Shanghai Peking Opera Theater is an award-winning Peking Opera  spectacle "The Glorious Zhen Guan Years of Tang Dynasty", which  has won the highest award at the China Arts Festival in 2000.
  Other award-winning attractions include an epic dance poem " Mazu, Goddess of the Sea" that has won the highest gold medal in  the National Lotus Award for Chinese Dance last year; and a seven- award-winning production, "Shang Yang".