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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
## ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, I will now proceed with the business of today's meeting. Our congratulations are due to Mr. Alex S. C. Wu on his appointment as a Member of the Legislative Council. May we wish him every success and satisfaction in that assignment.
## MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 17th June, 1975 were confirmed.
## STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Hong Kong has come a good way in the promotion of the arts. This has been achieved slowly at first but with gathering momentum in this decade. In particular, the existence of the City Hall has made it possible. There, facilities are put to good and heavy use. Not only does the Council, through a hard-working Urban Services Department, present exhibitions, concerts, recitals, and other activities, but also do many public bodies and private organizations. In a short time, with the opening of the Arts Centre, the scope will be enlarged for the creative and the performing arts to develop; in consequence, the pace of local activities will be stepped up without doubt.
But, it is not enough to have the physical facilities nor even the administration. For, there must also be dedicated groups and individuals willing to put their knowledge and resources to good purpose. Then, by means of a combined community effort, Hong Kong will be able to cultivate an appreciation of the arts as a process of education and a means to enrich the value of life in our society.
(Messrs. Edmund W. H. CHOW and Peter C. K. CHAN arrived at this point.)
In time, there will be more and better presentations and performances for education and enjoyment. Side by side, a carefully-thought-out programme should be drawn up for the encouragement of the young and the talented. Indeed, as gratified as we may be with what the community has succeeded in doing in recent times, the prospect for the future is even more promising, if the course that has been set is followed without faltering. Interest has been stirred up among the people. Favourable response is increasing and spreading through more sections of the population than generally supposed. There is a growing expectation that more should be done, perhaps more varied in kind and origin, and of higher standards as well.
(Mr. B. A. BERNACCHI arrived at this point.)
Indeed, we have seen the presentation of well-attended seasonal programmes for many years and the annual Arts Festival since 1973, as well as the enormously popular Festival of Hong Kong since 1969, previously intended to be held every two years and now a casualty of financial restraint. The Festivals of Hong Kong attracted the participation of wide sections of the community and increased public awareness of the enjoyment and satisfaction which can be obtained from community involvement in such activities. The Arts Festival too has found its place in Hong Kong. It may have been generally beyond the reach of the mass of our population so far, even though generous sponsors ensure that students and the disabled are not forgotten; still, it is among the most exciting opportunities the community has at the present time for a strong and concerted effort to raise the level of cultural appreciation. It is capable of intelligent development to bring it progressively within the reach of many people genuinely interested in the arts. The Council should help to turn it and all other such enterprises to good account for the benefit of the community.
So, the stage is set for even more ambitious efforts. And, all the time, we must encourage an appreciation of standards of excellence. Let us then have the vision of an intensive bicultural life in Hong Kong so that we may preserve and develop the best in local Chinese artistic traditions and cultivate the growing interest in Western and other arts.
In a word, the Council has a most important part to play. To lead the way in company with all people of goodwill in the community is our challenge. Even when we had no control over funds and far from the final say on overall policy, we moved firmly forward in the last decade to support cultural activities and to encourage local organizations as best we could. Now that we have the physical facilities for doing so and command the resources to match the experience accumulated over more than ten years, there is a far greater reason for the Council to take an incisive lead and be seen to do so. And, we have the capability to make Hong Kong a community of quality through support of the arts for public education and entertainment. We hold the key to open wide the doors for all to enjoy them. So, the Council's role must be brought under examination. Are we doing enough to set the pace?
Page 43 of 154
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Page 43 of 154
55
54
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, I will now proceed with the business of today's meeting. Our congratu- lations are due to Mr. Alex S. C. Wu on his appointment as a Member of the Legislative Council. May we wish him every success and satis- faction in that assignment.
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 17th June, 1975 were con- firmed.
STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English): -Hong Kong has come a good way in the promotion of the arts. This has been achieved slowly at first but with gathering momentum in this decade. In particular the existence of the City Hall has made it possible. There, facilities are put to good and heavy use. Not only does the Council, through a hard-working Urban Services Department, present exhibitions, concerts, recitals and other activities, but also do many public bodies and private organizations. In a short time, with the opening of the Arts Centre, the scope will be enlarged for the creative and the performing arts to develop; in con- sequence, the pace of local activities will be stepped up without doubt.
But, it is not enough to have the physical facilities nor even the administration. For, there must also be dedicated groups and in- dividuals willing to put their knowledge and resources to good purpose. Then, by means of a combined community effort, Hong Kong will be able to cultivate an appreciation of the arts as a process of education and a means to enrich the value of life in our society.
(Messrs. Edmund W. H. CHOW and Peter C. K. CHAN arrived at this point.)
In time, there will be more and better presentations and perform- ances for education and enjoyment. Side by side, a carefully-thought out programme should be drawn up for the encouragement of the young and the talented. Indeed, as gratified as we may be with what the community has succeeded in doing in recent times, the prospect for the future is even more promising, if the course that has been set is followed without faltering. Interest has been stirred up among the people. Favourable response is increasing and spreading through more
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
sections of the population than generally supposed. There is a growing expectation that more should be done, perhaps more varied in kind and origin, and of higher standards as well.
(Mr. B. A. BERNACCHI arrived at this point.)
Indeed, we have seen the presentation of well-attended seasonal programmes for many years and the annual Arts Festival since 1973 as well as the enormously popular Festival of Hong Kong since 1969, previously intended to be held every two years and now a casualty of financial restraint. The Festivals of Hong Kong attracted the participa- tion of wide sections of the community and increased public awareness of the enjoyment and satisfaction which can be obtained from com- munity involvement in such activities. The Arts Festival too has found its place in Hong Kong. It may have been generally beyond the reach of the mass of our population so far, even though generous sponsors ensure that students and the disabled are not forgotten; still, it is among the most exciting opportunities the community has at the present time for a strong and concerted effort to raise the level of cultural apprecia- tion. It is capable of intelligent development to bring it progressively within the reach of many people genuinely interested in the arts. The Council should help to turn it and all other such enterprises to good account for the benefit of the community.
So, the stage is set for even more ambitious efforts. And, all the time, we must encourage an appreciation of standards of excellence. Let us then have the vision of an intensive bicultural life in Hong Kong so that we may preserve and develop the best in local Chinese artistic traditions and cultivate the growing interest in Western and other arts.
In a word, the Council has a most important part to play. To lead the way in company with all people of goodwill in the community is our challenge. Even when we had no control over funds and far from the final say on overall policy, we moved firmly forward in the last decade to support cultural activities and to encourage local organiza- tions as best we could. Now that we have the physical facilities for doing so and command the resources to match the experience accu- mulated over more than ten years, there is a far greater reason for the Council to take an incisive lead and be seen to do so. And, we have the capability to make Hong Kong a community of quality through support of the arts for public education and entertainment. We hold the key to open wide the doors for all to enjoy them. So, the Council's role must be brought under examination. Are we doing enough to set the pace?
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.