FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
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FESTIVAL HK LAUNCHED IN CALGARY
A TRADITIONAL
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"DRAGON AWAKENING" CEREMONY LAUNCHED SPECTRUM OF BUSINESS, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN CALGARY ON THURSDAY AS PART OF THE FESTIVAL HONG KONG '92.
CALGARY JOINS TORONTO, MONTREAL, OTTAWA AND VANCOUVER IN HOSTING THE LARGEST EVER OVERSEAS PROMOTION STAGED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
MORE THAN 17 FESTIVAL EVENTS INCLUDING A TRADE SHOW, A DRAGON BOAT RACE AND A CHINA TOWN CARNIVAL ARE BEING HELD IN CALGARY THIS MONTH, THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS, AND LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL SPONSORS.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY IN CALGARY'S CONVENTION CENTRE WERE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN; SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO; ALBERTA'S MINISTER OF HEALTH NANCY BETKOWSKI AND MAYOR AL DUERR OF THE CITY OF CALGARY.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MAYOR AL DUERR SAID THE FESTIVAL WOULD STRENGTHEN THE HONG KONG-CANADA RELATIONSHIP THROUGH BUILDING UP A DEEP APPRECIATION OF THE TWO CULTURES AND LIFESTYLE.
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"I AM SURE THAT THE FESTIVAL WILL CREATE A BOND WITH HONG KONG THAT WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AND PROSPER IN THE FUTURE, HE SAID.
ANOTHER OFFICIATING GUEST MINISTER BETKOWSKI SAID THE THEME OF FESTIVAL "BRIDGE ACROSS THE PACIFIC" WAS BOTH TIMELY AND APPROPRIATE AND THAT THE FRIENDSHIP AND GOODWILL BROUGHT BY THE FESTIVAL WOULD HAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON CALGARY AND THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA.
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"WHILE THE EYES OF THE DRAGONS WERE OPENED AT THE CEREMONY, THE EYES OF THE CANADIANS WILL BE OPENED BY THE FESTIVAL ΤΟ THE BEAUTY, VITALITY AND SPIRIT OF HONG KONG AND ITS PEOPLE, THE MINISTER SAID.
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AFTER THE CEREMONY, MR CHAN DECLARED FESTIVAL HONG KONG '92 CALGARY OFFICIALLY OPENED.
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LATER IN THE EVENING, A SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO CITIES WAS DEMONSTRATED BY A BIG TURNOUT OF MORE THAN 450 LOCAL DIGNITARIES, BUSINESS PEOPLE AS WELL AS SENIOR FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AT A GALA DINNER.
THE DINNER ENDED WITH A PERFORMANCE BY THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE, WHICH WON LONG AND LOUD APPLAUSES FROM THE AUDIENCE.
THE PERFORMING GROUP COMPRISES 14 TALENTED YOUNG MUSICIANS FROM HONG KONG.
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