XN000022-1974-02-04 — Page 6

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Monday, February 4, 1974

"I would like in particular to thank the artists who have come

from overseas to make the Festival for us. Hong Kong is honoured by their

presence and Hong Kong will make them very welcome

"I am delighted that this year so many of Hong Kong's own artists

are participating.

"Might I say a special word of welcome to Mr. Iwaki and the Sydney

Symphony Orchestra who are inaugurating the Festival tonight.

"The idea of this Festival is to build on the natural advantages of Hong Kong as a meeting place of cultures and communications, to offer for a

month the art of many cultures, in large and small events, but alt at the

highest level of excellence. The idea is to do this for the pleasure it will bring and for the knowledge it will give of other cultures; to encourage people in Hong Kong to widen their lives by enjoying or practising the arts;

but also to stimulate for residents and visitors alike the concept of Hong

Kong as the cultural and artistic as well as a commercial and tourist centre which

it could be.

"This leaven has already begun to work. It is no coincidence that

since the last Festival our Youth Orchestra has performed with credit abroad,

a professional orchestra has been formed and that the project for an Arts

Centre is at last making progress. The interest was always there, but the

Festival has acted as a stimulus and a catalyst.

"There is indeed much which the Festival can do for Hong Kong. It

is therefore with the greatest pleasure that I declare open this 2nd Hong

Kong Arts Festival."

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