KONG, CHINA.- The "Parade" -- a stage curtain by Pablo Picasso was unveiled to mark the grand opening ceremony of Year of France. in Hong Kong International Finance Center (IFC).

"We are glad to introduce this important and priceless artwork here", said Michel Guyot, Consul (culture and science) of French in Hong Kong.

The artwork, on loan from the Center Pompidou in Paris will open to the public through Oct. 31, and this is the first time that the rarely exhibited staged curtain has been shown on the Asian Continent and outside of a museum environment. Guyot added that this artwork has only been on public display 10 times in over 50 years, and after the IFC exhibition, "Parade" will return to the Center Prompidou where it will "rest" for at least 20 years before another public appearance. According to David Dumigan, deputy project director of the IFC property management company, the staging of the Picasso at a cost of over 10 million HK dollars, excluding the insurance fee. The staging work at IFC will involve over 40 hours of installation by a team of over 30 theater professionals experienced in technical arts. Working alongside will be a 24 hours-a-day security team to protect and safeguard the painting from the moment it arrives in Hong Kong to the end of its safety at the IFC.