Legendary Cuban Diva Omara Portuondo opened the Latin Passion Festival in HongKong Thursday night with her concert Flor de Amor Tour.

Omara's intoxicating voice has introduced the wonderful sounds of Havana to the world. Her Flor de Amor Tour is backed by top musicians from Cuba and Brazil, who also played on her latest album, has enabled her mellow sound richly brewed in the concert hall.

Born in 1930 in Havana, the diva has been regarded as the ultimate interpreter of Cuban music. At the age of 15, she was already performing with the prestigious Tropicana Cabaret.

Her solo career started at her twenties and she has since become well known for her passionate feeling, a Cubanized style of the Bossa nova with American jazz influences.

Following the vocalists, the Latin Passion Festival will showcase a selection of exotic music, dance and theater works.

Artists from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela, the US and Hong Kong will participate in the performances.

The month-long Latin Passion Festival, organized by Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department, is complemented by the Latinamerica 2005 Festival.

The Latinamerica 2005 Festival is presented by the Group of Latin American Consulates from October 18 to November 20 to promote their cultures to people in Hong Kong. Participating countries are Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela.

(Xinhua News Agency October 21, 2005)