XN000022-1987-10-26 — Page 6

5.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1987

BASTERN DISTRICT FESTIVAL BEGINS ON NOVEMBER 15

THE TWO-WEEK EASTERN DISTRICT FESTIVAL, WHICH INCLUDES SPECIAL PROGRAMMES FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED, WILL START ON NOVEMBER 15.

THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) AT A PRESS CONFERENCE GIVEN BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE, HR ERIC LI, BASTERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG, AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GARY YEUNG.

MR LI, WHO IS ALSO THE CHAIRMAN OF THR BOARD'S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE, SAID THE $1.3 MILLION FESTIVAL WILL FEATURE MORE THAN 30 LARGE-SCALE CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMES.

ORGANISED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL, EASTERN DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE FESTIVAL IS ALSO BRING SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.

THE THEME, MR LI SAID, IS PARTICIPATION IN THE DISTRICT'S DEVELOPMENT.

DURING THE PLANNING STAGE, THE ORGANISERS TRIED TO THINK OF AN OUTSTANDING DEVELOPMENT PROJECT WITH

UNIQUE CHARACTER REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DISTRICT, HE SAID.

"EVENTUALLY WE REALISED THAT THE DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTIC OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT IS, PERHAPS, NOT A SINGLE OUTSTANDING PROJECT BUT THE ASTONISHING PACE OF OVERALL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSEQUENTIAL DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT IN LIFE STYLE.

HE ATTRIBUTED THE IMPROVEMENTS TO TREMENDOUS EFFORTS BY THE GOVERNMENT, LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, PRIVATE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS AND RESIDENTS.

TO

"CIVIC-MINDED RESIDENTS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS HAVE HELPED BUILD A COMMUNITY SPIRIT OF MUTUAL CARE AND RESPONSIBILITY," MR LI SAID.

MR LI SAID THE ORGANISERS HOPED EVERY RESIDENT, IRRESPECTIVE OF AGE, FINANCIAL MEANS, TYPE OF INTERESTS AND TIME CONSTRAINTS, COULD PARTICIPATE IN AND ENJOY THE FESTIVAL.

THERE WILL BE A LIGHTING SWITCH-ON CEREMONY AT VICTORIA PARK TOMORROW (OCTOBER 27), FOLLOWED BY A TRAM TOUR ON NOVEMBER 1 AT THE SHARP STREET TRAM DEPOT.

THE EASTERN DISTRICT FESTIVAL WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED AT VICTORIA PARK ON NOVEMBER 15 WITH A SPECTACULAR VIDEO "WALL" PRESENTATION. THE CLOSING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM IN WAN CHAI ON NOVEMBER 28.

/EARLIER, MR TEUNG