Hong Kong International Museum Day 2009 was opened here last Saturday with more than 100 entertaining educational and extension activities to gain better understanding about the missions and functions of local museums.

Under the theme of "Museums On the Go", a fleet of parade lorries carrying performance teams including museum mascots and international cultural ambassadors participated in shows for the public at the opening ceremony and gala at the Hong Kong Cultural Center Piazza.

The parade lorries will also visit major tourist attractions and shopping areas on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon and the New Territories on Sunday.

Florence Hui, secretary for Home Affairs Department of Hong Kong, said this was the ninth year that the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong (LCSD) was hosting the Museum Day to provide the public with an array of extension activities.

"This year, more than 30 museums and heritage institutions from Beijing, Guangdong, Macao and Hong Kong join together to provide an eclectic mix of programs for Hong Kong people and tourists," she said.

Admission is free on May 16 and 17 to LCSD's 17 museums and other participating local museums.