The two-day International Museum Day 2004 organized by Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department was kicked off Saturday.

Under the theme of Enjoying, Learning and Exploring at Museums,23 museums and cultural institutions from Guangdong Province, Macao and Hong Kong participate in the event, and the highlight program-- Museum Exposition is also being held.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services of Hong Kong government, Anissa Wong Sean-yee, said that museums in Hong Kong had over the years been introducingrich and diverse programs to meet public needs.

Wong said, "To foster a better understanding and closer cultural co-operation with cities in the Pearl River Delta region,museums from Guangdong Province and Macao have also been invited to take part in the International Museum Day this year.

"We hope that the event will enhance the communication and cultural exchange between these cities," said Wong.

The Museum Exposition provides glamorous booth and stall games as well as programs for family such as puppet show, talks on tea and Chinese medicine, model making, origami workshop, and a "Treasure Hunting" game.

Apart from visiting the Museum Exposition, members of the public can get the chance to visit all the local participating museums free of charge and view more than 80 exhibitions.

International Museum Day 2004, Hong Kong, is organized by cultural institutions include Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Hong KongMuseum of History and its branches, and Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture and The Museum of Macao etc.