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Festival of Asian Arts
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The Urban Council's 6th Festival of Asian Arts was held from October 15 to the 31 1981. With Pakistan and Papua New Guinea participating for the first time, the number of countries taking part in this particular Festival was 15 countries. The number of artists performing was a record 450. Out of 156 programmes presented, 81 were performed free of admission charges at various Council's parks and playgrounds on both sides of the harbour, and 75 programmes were performed in the City Hall, the Space Museum and the Queen Elizabeth Stadium for the first time. 89% of the indoor seating capacity were sold with a total of 42,000 attending. As for the outdoor performances, they drew an audience of 142,000.
As in previous Festivals, 4 exhibitions were organized at 4 different venues this year attracting a large number of visitors totalling 100,000 persons. The Malaysian Traditional Crafts Exhibition was held in the Museum of History. The Yixing Pottery Exhibition was held in the Hong Kong Museum of Art. The Contemporary Hong Kong Art Biennial 1981 Exhibition was held in the Exhibition Hall of the City Hall, and the Bangladesh Art Exhibition was held at the Museum of Art Exhibition Hall. The Yixing Pottery Exhibition is particularly worthy of noting because it was one of the largest exhibition of its kind ever put together, and it featured over a hundred selected pieces from local museums and private collections.
Unquestionably, the 6th Festival of Asian Arts achieved a very high artistic standard. There is no doubt that this artistic integrity must be preserved so that the Festival can move from strength to strength.
Hong Kong International Film Festival
The 5th Hong Kong International Film Festival was held from April 9 to the 24, 1981. The Festival is accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers' Association in Paris, and is a non-competitive festival. This year, the four sections of the Festival were: (1) International Cinema, (2) Asian Cinema, (3) Hong Kong Cinema '81 and (4) Hong Kong Cinema Retrospective on Hong Kong Swordplay Films.
A total of 189 films including 137 features, 52 animation/short films from 34 countries were shown. There were a total of 232 shows attended by 63,500 persons.
In conjunction with the film festival, a 'Posters and Stills Exhibition' was held at the City Hall Exhibition Hall, attended by some 30,000 visitors.
Several internationally known film directors, and distributors from Pakistan, France, Germany, Japan and England attended the Festival. Three overseas journalists from the United States, Jakarta and Manila also covered the Festival. Judging from enquiries from overseas for the 6th Hong Kong International Film Festival due to take place this coming April, I have every confidence that the forthcoming Festival will also be very successful. It can safely be said that the film festival is now attracting global attention from those who are interested in Asian films.
Outdoor Entertainment Programmes
Even before I joined the Council, there had already been a well-planned and well-distributed entertainment programmes for all the Urban Districts. During the year 1981, there were a total of 972 such programmes with an encouraging attendance of 1,345,000 persons. With the exception of a few activities such as disco dance and festival dinner-balls, all the other programmes are free for the public to enjoy.
With a view of giving an opportunity for the citizens of the various districts to enjoy and appreciate the culture of other countries, several outdoor performances by overseas artistic groups were arranged. The groups included the Schubert Bund Choir from Germany, the Chiang Ching Dance Company of New York, the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet Band, the San Francisco Boys' Chorus and the San Diego Youth Symphony.
As in previous years, a Summer Fun Festival was organized and once again with 66 events. A total of 64,000 persons of all ages from all walks of life participated in functions such as launch picnics, family harbour cruises, swim-ins, astronomy camp, dance and drama camp, children's parties, and D.J. shows as well as summer nite concerts. For the coming Summer Fun Festival, every effort will be made to ensure that these activities will be accessible to the citizens of each and every district in the urban area.
This year, the very popular Lantern Carnivals were held on September 12th in an evening blessed with favourable weather. The main celebrations were held at Victoria Park on Hong Kong side and Morse Park on Kowloon side. There were, however, other smaller supporting carnivals held at the district levels. I am happy to report that more than 380,000 people participated in the celebrations, and no doubt, the number of lantern carnivals this year will multiply and will be enjoyed by an even wider segment of the population. The Council is keenly aware of the needs and aspirations of the various districts and will do our utmost to satisfy these needs with our available resources.
I have much pleasure in supporting the motion before Council.
(Miss Cecilia L. Y. YEUNG arrived during Mr. Lawrence FUNG's address.)
DR. KIM Y. S. CHAM (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, the past twelve months marked another year of successful work achieved for the Council. I must thank members of the Administration Select Committee, the Urban Services Department and members of the Computerization Sub-Committee for their resourceful roles in contributing towards such a commendable record for the year. A special vote of thanks must be extended to our honorary advisers in the
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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