International Museum Day 2006 Hong Kong opened on Saturday, offering more than 200 entertaining and educational activities to encourage people to join in museum events, Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department said on Saturday.

With the theme, "Museums and Young People", this year's event aims to enhance young people's understanding of the missions and functions of museums and to encourage them to take part in museum activities through a variety of programs and services.

A number of youth volunteer groups have been invited to take part in the event to tie in with the theme.

The Museum Panorama, a highlight program, will run from Saturday to Sunday at the Cultural Center Piazza to provide visitors with entertaining booth games and a series of educational activities, demonstrations and performances.

To encourage people to pay frequent visits to museums and to enjoy the facilities, a booth handling applications for museum passes will be set up at the panorama. A gift will be presented to those who buy a museum pass during the two-day event.

Apart from the panorama, educational and entertainment programs including lectures on the work and functions of museums, workshops, guided tours, demonstrations, children's programs, video programs and behind-the-scenes tours will be held at different museums during Museum Two-week from May 15 to 28.

International Museum Day 2006 Hong Kong is organized by the department in support of International Museum Day, first designated on May 18, 1978 by the International Council of Museums.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2006)