First venue commences construction at Hong Kong arts hub

The ground-breaking ceremony for the Xiqu Centre, the first major performing arts venue in the West Kowloon Cultural District, was held this week, marking a significant milestone for what will be one of the world's largest cultural development projects.

Scheduled for completion in 2016, the seven-storey Xiqu Centre, which sits on a prime site of 13,800 metres2 on the corner of Canton Road and Austin Road West, will house a 1,100-seat main theatre and a tea house with a performance stage, in addition to 2,000 metres2 of arts education facilities, and generous public space.

The West Kowloon Cultural District is Hong Kong's largest arts and cultural project and is being developed with the aim to create a vibrant cultural quarter for the city, with major facilities to host and produce world-class exhibitions, performances and arts and cultural events.

West Kowloon Cultural District Chief Executive Michael Lynch explains "the city's position as a cultural metropolis is being cemented as we lay the foundations for what will be a world-class arts hub for performing and visual arts."

The Xiqu Centre will be a world-class facility for the preservation, development and promotion of Chinese opera, making the art form accessible to new audiences.

For more information go to www.wkcdauthority.hk/

11th June 2013 - MUSEUMS DRIVE ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION

14th March 2013 - HONG KONG MUSEUM OF ART ANDY WARHOL EXHIBITION GREETS 200,000TH VISITOR

30th July 2012 - ARCHITECTS SHORTLISTED FOR WEST KOWLOON CULTURAL DISTRICT ARTS VENUE 

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