The Niemeyer centre - aimed at transforming the obscure Spanish city of Aviles into an international artistic magnet - will bring together what is described as the 'Cultural G8'. The Euro30.5 million (HK$350.31 million) bill is being footed by the Spanish cultural establishment.

The centre has been designed by veteran Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, one of the world's most influential architects who designed the Brazilian capital Brasilia as well as the United Nations building in New York and the London Serpentine Gallery Summer Pavilion.

The Hong Kong centre's representative at a two-day conference of the 'Cultural G8' starting on Friday will be Linus Fung Wai-fan, chief manager (Urban/Cultural Services) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

Ms Fung said the department was 'very honoured' to be invited. She said the centre had a similar profile to the others in terms of variety of programmes and service excellence, and she understood that it was not chosen on the grounds of architectural design.

Clifton Ko Chi-sum, chief executive and producer of Spring-Time Productions, observed that if the Hong Kong centre took its place in such a group it would have to be as a result of its 'variety of uses'.

'The venue is always fully booked - even land auctions and kindergarten speech days are held there - and it is hard to reserve it for performances,' said Mr Ko, who described the cultural centre building as 'not particularly good-looking'.

He said many groups had criticised the centre's operations, including its management of bookings, which was 'pushing performance groups to death'.

Ada Wong Ying-kay, a director of the Hong Kong Design Centre, said she was surprised by the honour the Cultural Centre had received.

Apart from its undistinguished appearance, she said the centre lacked vitality in its activities. 'It is like a dead city when no programme is being held there.'

Ms Wong said the Shanghai Grand Theatre or the new National Grand Theatre in Beijing would have deserved the honour more, although it was a good opportunity for Hongkongers to reflect on the city's role in the global cultural field.

The art world's finest will be able to use the space for shared exhibitions, film festivals, musicals or cultural conferences.

The centre is being billed as the biggest arts facility in Europe - equalled in exhibition space only by London's Tate Modern. Construction is due to begin next year and is expected to be finished by 2010.

Participants in the conference will exchange ideas on cultural issues.

Discussions on broad issues such as global challenges and international collaboration would be held, she said. Ms Fung will conduct a brief presentation on Hong Kong to other delegates.

The Niemeyer Cultural Centre will have a conference hall seating 1,000. There will also be an observatory tower with a restaurant, a multiplex cinema, a number of other galleries and smaller conference centres.

But the biggest show area will be a 4,000 square metre gallery with a roof 20 metres high.

Among the celebrity names being touted as possible members of the centre's artistic management board are film director Woody Allen, Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho and British physicist Stephen Hawking.

In good company

Why the Aviles city government chose the seven arts centres to join the Niemeyer Cultural Centre

Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Its construction restored the marine facade of Kowloon. It runs about 1,000 activities annually, with almost a million visitors and an occupation rate better than 95 per cent

Lincoln Centre (New York)

Its size and volume of activities. It is the world's largest cultural centre dedicated to performing arts

Tokyo International Forum

Its emblematic design by architect Rafael Vinoly, which has completely changed the Ginza zone of Tokyo

Sydney Opera House

For its emblematic design by Jorn Utzon, which has made it a national landmark for Australia

Barbican Centre (London)

For its size and volume of activities. It is the largest cultural centre in Europe

Alexandria Library (Egypt)

For its iconic architecture in the Arabic world

Pompidou Centre (Paris)

For its landmark design by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, representing innovation in modern and contemporary creations

SOURCE: OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE AVILES CITY GOVERNMENT