World-renowned French equestrian theater Zingaro set off at a gallop Friday in Hong Kong with a special opening ceremony and a preview show to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Rat and the year of Beijing Olympics.

The troupe will perform its latest spectacle Battuta in special marquee at Hung Hong Ferry Pier Lawn from Feb. 9 to March 23. The show is jointly presented by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and the Hong Kong Arts Festival Society.

Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club John Chan said at the opening ceremony, "We hope that our co-presentation of Zingaro with the Hong Kong Arts Festival Society will not only promote arts and cultural development in Hong Kong, but also help cultivate public interest in equestrian sports, in the run-up to Hong Kong's staging of the Olympic equestrian events this summer."

Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Festival Society Charles Lee said, "This is the year in which all things equestrian will engage the imagination of the community, with the Beijing Olympic equestrian events to be hosted right here in Hong Kong later in the year, the Festival is helping to mark this significant moment for Hong Kong and adding to the wealth of choices available to local audience."

Zingaro has performed in Europe and Asia. Battuta features elements of lively music, stunning costumes, touches of Gypsy surrealism and great horsemanship.
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(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2008)