Q and A
V-E Day in London
Q.  What special events will take place in London this May to celebrate the 50th anniversary of V-E Day? -- William J. Stone, Mount Pleasant, S.C.
A.  May 8, marking the 50th anniversary of victory in Europe in World War II, will be a public holiday in Britain. Throughout the year scores of events will be held to celebrate the occasion, although the official theme will be one of peace and reconciliation. Commemorative events will also be held for V-J Day, on Aug. 15, marking victory over Japan, and the end of the war.
The focus of events in London will come on the weekend of May 6 to 8 in Hyde Park, with a variety of exhibitions and performances. At 8 P.M. on May 8 Queen Elizabeth II will light a beacon in the park, to be followed by the lighting of many similar beacons across the country. The Hyde Park lighting will be followed by a concert with a number of international stars.
Following are some of the many other events:
The Royal British Legion, an organization of ex-servicemen, is staging a Hyde Park concert on May 6 with a 4,000-member choir, and a "Golden Gala Evening" at the Royal Albert Hall on July 12. There will be free access to the park concert but no seating provided. Tickets for the gala, from $46.50 to $62, can be reserved through the Royal Albert Hall Ticket Shop, (44 171) 589 8212.
Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ, (44 171) 416 5000, will present a "Victory Festival" from March 17 to Aug. 28 that will include an exhibition about London at war. Open daily from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. Admission $6, calculated at $1.55 to the pound, children $3.80. Admission free after 4:30 P.M. and on V-E Day and V-J Day.
Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2RL; (44 171) 938 8349 (recorded information about exhibitions), (44 171) 938 8441 (general information). Until March 19 an exhibition called "Warworks, Women, Photography and the Art of War" will present images and themes of war through the eyes of 11 female artists working with photography. Open 10 A.M. to 5:50 P.M. from Tuesday to Sunday, noon to 5:50 P.M. on Monday. A $7 donation is requested, $1.50 for children.
National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HD; (44 171) 730 0717. A special "Victory for Europe" exhibition will be presented but full details have not been made final. Open daily from 10 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. Admission free.
National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin's Place, London WC2H OHE; (171) 306 0055. Gallery 16A on Level 2 will show portraits of men and women who played a role in Britain in the 15-year postwar period. Admission free. Open Monday to Saturday from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M., Sunday noon to 6 P.M. through June 18.
Free information sheets listing V-E and V-J Day events in London and outside London will be available at London Tourist Information Centers at Heathrow Airport Underground station, Liverpool Street Station, Victoria Station and the Self ridge's store on Oxford Street.
The Southern Tourist Board has set up a telephone line about V-E and V-J Day events throughout the country at (0891) 88-1945. It can be dialed only in Britain and costs from 60 to 75 cents a minute. Hong Kong Shopping
Q.  A friend and I are planning to spend a week in Hong Kong in March. How do we find reputable tailors to make men's and women's suits, and what should we expect to pay? -- P. Caldwell, Kansas City, Mo.
A.  A 200-page booklet called "Shopping" published by the Hong Kong Tourist Association would seem to answer your needs. The booklet, which is available only at the association's offices in Hong Kong, lists 26 tailors on Hong Kong Island and more than 100 in Kowloon. All belong to the association, which says it insists that members offer value for money, accurate representation of products and prompt resolution of justified complaints.
Following are four taken at random from the booklet:
Ideal Tailor, Suite 127, 1/F., Prince's Building, Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong; (852) 2522 4861.
Loa Hai Shing, 201-206 Tak Shing House, 20 Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong Kong; (852) 2523 6167.
The Success Shop, AR209, Princess Shopping Plaza, Hotel Miramar, 118 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; (852) 2366 7974.
Winston Company, Shop 106, 1/F., Far East Mansion, 5-6 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; (852) 2366 7924.
For top-quality suits for men or women expect to pay from $500 to $750. Suits at $250 are also available.
To get a copy of the "Shopping" booklet when you arrive contact one of the following Hong Kong Tourist Association offices, all of which can be reached at (852) 2807 6543, fax (852) 2806 0303:
Star Ferry Concourse, Tshim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (open 8 A.M. to 6 P.M. Monday to Friday, 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Saturday and Sunday).
Jardine House, Shop 8, Basement, 1 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong (9 A.M. to 6 P.M. Monday to Friday, 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. Saturday and Sunday).
Hong Kong International Airport (8 A.M. to 10:30 P.M. daily).
For general information contact the Hong Kong Tourist Association, 590 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10036; (212) 869-5008. The Rain in Portugal
Q.  I will be traveling to Lisbon and the island of Madeira in early March. Please tell me what weather conditions I should expect. -- E. Stanton, Brooklyn
A.  Be sure to pack an umbrella. In both places you will be arriving in one of the rainiest months of the year.
Winter is the wet season everywhere in Portugal. In Lisbon, the capital, you can expect a total of 4.2 inches in March and some 14 wet days. The March total is surpassed only in January, at 4.3 inches. Temperatures, however, are mild, with the average highs 63 degrees and the lows 50.
In Madeira, about 450 miles west of Morocco, the winter months are quite wet and stormy and cloudy conditions might last for days.
In March you can expect 3.1 inches of rain. In November the total averages 3.5 inches and in December 3.3 inches. March temperatures there are also mild. Average highs are 66, lows 56. Tennis in Sweden
Q.  We are planning a trip to Sweden in June. How can I get in touch with local tennis clubs and perhaps set up a game with a local player? -- D. Schlorf, Longboat Key, Fla.
A.  The more than 200 tourist offices in Sweden can put you in touch with local clubs. For a list of the offices write to the Swedish Travel and Tourism Council, 655 Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017; (212) 949-2333. TERENCE NEILAN