XN000022-1982-07-11 — Page 3

SUNDAY, JULY 11, 1982

NEED TO ENRICH SPIRITUAL LIFE STRESSED

THE GOVERNMENT IS FULLY AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PROMOTING ARTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN WHERE THE POPULATION IS RAPIDLY INCREASING, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, DR PATRICK HASE, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE SHA TIN ARTS ASSOCIATION HELD AT KIANGSU-CHEK JANG COLLEGE, HE EMPHASISED THE NEED TO ENRICH THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF LOCAL RESIDENTS,

*THE SHA TIN ARTS ASSOCIATION PLAYS A LEADING ROLE TO PROMOTE INTERESTS IN ARTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AMONG PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT. WE AIM TO MAKE SHA TIN, NOT ONLY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN, BUT ALSO WHERE A HEALTHY STATE OF MIND IS BRED, HE SAID.

AT TODAY'S CEREMONY, MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WERE INAUGURATED FOR A ONE-YEAR TERM OF OFFICE.

THE ASSOCIATION WAS FOUNDED IN FEBRUARY 1980 AND HAS BEEN PROVIDING SUCH POPULAR FACILITIES AS A READING ROOM AND A MOBILE LIBRARY.

OVER THE YEARS, THE ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN VERY ACTIVE AND HAS ORGANISED MANY EVENTS, INCLUDING LAST DECEMBER'S SHA TIN ARTS FORTNIGHT WHICH HAS NOW BECOME AN ANNUAL AFFAIR BECAUSE OF ITS POPULARITY,

DR HASE ESPECIALLY EXPRESSED HIS APPRECIATION OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CHILDREN'S CHOIR AND THE SHA TIN CANTONESE OPERA TRAINING GROUP, BOTH ORGANISED BY THE ASSOCIATION.

THE ASSOCIATION, WHOSE ACTIVITIES ARE MOSTLY FUNDED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, WILL SOON ORGANISE TRAINING COURSES IN CHINESE PAINTING AND CHINESE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS,

THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN ARTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THE SHA TIN ARTS ASSOCIATION AS A MEMBER, AT ONLY $10. FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED BY TELEPHONING 0-617111 EXT. 235.