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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
of total planning-must be blamed for the present situation, for there is disquiet about the new social and physical problems which unbridled development has brought in its wake.
All in all, thus, the making of a better city is truly every citizen's dire concern for he pays the price in the end, whether he likes it or not.
(Mr Edmund W. H. Chow arrived during the Chairman's address.)
PAPER
The following paper was laid on the table: Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of June 1979.
QUESTIONS
1 DR DENNY M. H. HUANG asked the following question (in Cantonese):~ (a) The Festival of Asian Arts has been held for several years. What was the expenditure for each year so far?
(b) What is the estimated expenditure for the next festival? (c) In the face of the Council's estimated deficit this year, will consideration be given to cancelling the Festival of Asian Arts or holding it every three or five years?
MR F. K. Hu, CHAIRMAN OF THE CULTURAL AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE replied as follows (in English): -The expenditure for the past three Festivals of Asian Arts was $776,000, $1,637,000 and $1,776,000 respectively. The approved estimate for the Fourth Festival is $1,978,000. From these figures must, of course, be deducted the revenue which was, for the first three years, $281,000, $305,000 and $341,000 respectively. Revenue from the Fourth Festival will not be known until the Festival has taken place.
The Festival of Asian Arts has received tremendous public support and it is now generally acknowledged, both locally and abroad, as a major artistic event of the region. The Festival is organized in accordance with the Council's policy of supporting and promoting cultural pursuits and making the arts more accessible to the public.
The success of the Festivals is indicated not only by the overwhelming public reaction but also by the large attendances; the last Festival of Asian Arts was attended by almost 300,000 persons including 32,000 at indoor events, 186,000 at exhibitions and 75,000 at outdoor events. As regards indoor events, tickets taken up were as high as 98% of capacity with 34 full-houses out of 37 performances in the City Hall.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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If the Festival was stopped at this stage, it would be a retrograde step. If its frequency was reduced to once every few years, it would inevitably lose its impact and its regional significance. There would not be the same interest in something that occurred only at long intervals. Other functions would step in here and elsewhere to fill the gap, gradually reducing interest in the Hong Kong Festival. It is the Council's intention to carry on and improve the scope and content of the Festival.
DR HUANG (in Cantonese):-I would like to thank Mr HU for the answer. I would like to ask Mr HU that among the 186,000 persons at exhibitions and 75,000 at outdoor events, could Mr HU confirm that they are exact figures or are they only guesses?
MR HU (in English):-Mr Chairman, every outdoor event and exhibition was attended by departmental staff and they made estimates. They are estimated figures.
DR HUANG (in Cantonese):-As far as I know, most of these events were free of charge. Unless you have a digital hand counter to count the number of people attending, otherwise, I would think it would be very undependable to guess at 186,000.
MR HU (in English):-Mr Chairman, we are always very concerned with attendance figures and the department has certainly built up from their past experience ways and means of making very accurate estimates.
DR HUANG (in Cantonese):-Mr Chairman, in the English script of Mr HU's answer, the English was 'we would carry on with the Hong Kong Festival', but in the Chinese, it says ‘Asian Arts Festival', why is there a discrepancy?
MR HU (in English):—Mr Chairman, this Hong Kong Festival refers to the Festival of Asian Arts.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Dr Denny HUANG will forgive the department because the interpreter must have been a Cantonese. And, I apologise for it, being a Cantonese too. (Laughter).
DR HUANG (in Cantonese): -Mr Chairman, in our last few Asian Arts Festivals, the Japanese programme consisted of a heavy proportion. I wonder if there are interests shown by Japan or other countries to hold such Asian Arts Festivals.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-This is outside the scope of the original question, but it is a very interesting enquiry, Mr Hu, please answer it.
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