An audience of more than 300 danced to the rhythm of a Latin beat at University Circle as the World City Cultural Night extravaganza drew to a close. The 9 March event, which marked the opening of CityU's 2002 cultural festival, embraced an array of multi-cultural performances, such as Scottish bagpipes, Australian songs, Indian dance, American jazz, Chinese music, English folkdance, Latin salsa and African drums, all under the "Love and Harmony" theme.

World City Cultural Night opened with a "Bridge-the-Oceans" ceremony inaugurated by guest speaker Professor Leo Lee of Harvard University, President H K Chang and Professor Y S Wong, Chairman of CityU Cultural and Sports Committee.

"Dialogue is most important in establishing love and harmony," said Professor Lee. In his welcoming speech, Professor Chang said he hoped that cultural events such as World City Cultural Night would promote love and harmony among people and nations. CityU staff and students took part in many of the performances.

Two academic staff from the Department of Biology and Chemistry, Dr Bruce Richardson and Dr Desmond O'Toole, played Scottish bagpipe solos and gave an Australian verse performances, while Dr Kenneth Rose from the Department of English and Communication took part in a Jazz Trio. Two groups of students in colorful oriental costumes danced to Thai and Indian music, while another group demonstrated the power of love using sign language. The CCIV Chinese Music Group played two pieces, Vibrant with Joy and Bow Dance.

Audience emotion ran high as masters of ceremony Mr Dino Mahoney and Ms Regina Ku announced the finale of the night: a dance party under the stars. The party moved to the University Circle where participants danced to rhythms provided by the Andes Art Company.