"Le French May is seeking to bring a significant contribution to the emergence of a vibrant, innovative and truly international artistic and cultural life reflecting Hong Kong's unique character as the place where 'east meets west'," Pasquier said at a news conference to launch the event.

And for the first time this year, the event, which will start from April 18 through June 2, is moving into Cattle Depot - an alternative artistic space set aside by the Hong Kong SAR government for local independent artists, Pasquier said.

"A visual arts program entitled 'Paintings, Figures, Paintings' presents a selection of paintings by prominent French figurative artists. This exhibition will take place at the Cattle Depot, an artists' village which is emerging as one of Hong Kong's most vibrant centers for contemporary creation," he said.

The event, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Hong Kong, also features French violinist Lurent Korcia who will play accompanied by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, French jazz guitar performances, a theatrical production of Theater des Bouffes du Nord directed by world-famous director Peter Brook.

The Rite of Spring - a ballet dance co-produced by Chinese and French ballet dancers - is the result of the fruitful cultural exchange between the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and French artists, said Graeme Collins, the head of ballet at the academy.

Jerome Pasquier said the presence of a 6,000-strong French community, mostly engaged in business activities, has provided a solid basis to the festival in terms of audience and sponsorship resources.

(Xinhua News Agency April 3, 2002)