Page 139 of 174
238
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Furthermore, a special committee should be formed to look into the work, with a comparative view in mind, of C.D.O's and our U.S.D. staffs. It appears that one may have to cope with plenty of essential work daily with insufficient staff, while the other has mainly social work responsibilities including recommendation of people for insignia, with many staffs.
Finally, I propose the Urban Council should plan an 'I Love Hong Kong' Campaign. This is a good and practical way of building up a sense of belonging among all people in Hong Kong. It is lack of this sense of belonging which forms the root of the present social ills. Anyone who really and sincerely loves this place will do everything to make Hong Kong like his own home. Based on this, who wishes to do things that spoil the good name of Hong Kong, be it in hygiene, culture, pollution (refuse, noise, smell) security, corruption, social injustice and indeed, many other aspects of community interest?
With these remarks, I support the motion.
MR. F. K. HU (in English):- Mr. Chairman, one of the Council's most outstanding achievements in improving the quality of life of the Hong Kong people has always been its cultural activities. There is no exception in 1977 as the Council this year, up to the end of November, sponsored 450 performances in the City Hall, enjoyed by over 250,000 people, and 634 outdoor events in ten urban districts to the enjoyment of 780,000 people. Outstanding and significant events included the Alvin Alley American Dance Company, Viennese Operetta Festival, Dublin Festival Theatre Company, Theatre du Silence and Madam Butterfly.
The Council presented the First International Film Festival of Hong Kong this year with over 40 films from 14 countries being shown side by side with Hong Kong films. The objective of the film festival is to gradually build up Hong Kong as a centre of international film exhibitions.
In answer to numerous requests, the Council organised the second Festival of Asian Arts this October on a bigger scale than the first one, with 370 overseas artists, including officials and guests, from India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand besides Hong Kong's own performing art groups.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 139 of 174
239
The indoor Festival programme comprised 71 events including 5 exhibitions and 1 Poster Exhibition. Ticket sales again reached 98%, the same as the previous one. During the two-week Festival, 47 outdoor programmes, some with overseas groups, were staged at 16 different venues, a free show for over a 110,000 audience. It is firmly established that with high artistic standard coupled with good organisation, the Festival of Asian Arts has created an excellent image for Hong Kong abroad and it will be an annual event. As a matter of fact, we have already received offers from enthusiastic world Asian artists to perform in the 3rd Festival next year.
In April 1977, with the Council's approval of a budget of $1.9 million for the formation of a professional Chinese Orchestra and a professional repertory theatre company, the City Hall Projects Section was formed to manage these two projects. Mr. NG Tai-kong was invited by the Council to return from Singapore to assume the post of Music Director of the Chinese Orchestra. A 5-year plan for the development of these two projects has been drawn up and it is hoped with the progress of time, the Chinese Orchestra and the repertory theatre will reach a professional standard as well as an expanded scope of activities ready for them to become resident companies, together with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, at the Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Complex when it is completed in 1982.
In the first year of its existence the professional Chinese Orchestra, in name, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, plans to give 8 performances at the City Hall and 10 school performances. The professional Chinese repertory theatre, in name, the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, will present 6 productions of 10 performances at the City Hall Theatre, 2 small productions of 5 performances each at the Recital Hall and workshop/demonstrations at schools.
The establishment of these two new projects heralds the Council's new direction in its cultural policy. In addition to presenting a year-round programme of entertainment both inside and outside the City Hall, for the first time it starts positively to create the arts and to develop a professional standard of performance. Young people who wish to devote their full careers to drama and Chinese music would now have a chance to do so.
Besides improving the stage facilities in the City Hall, such as lighting, sound systems, new electronic organ and stage equipment, etc., the Council has made many improvements in the premises. The air conditioning system of the Low Block has been improved in such a way that most areas have adequate and evenly distributed air conditioning. The original mural picture, that of a court of justice in Canton in the 19th Century on the 2nd floor of the Low Block, has been replaced by a colour enlargement of the painting "Victoria Harbour" by the late Mr. LUI Shou-Kwan. The construction of a
Page 139 of 174
238
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Furthermore, a special committee should be formed to look into the work, with a comparative view in mind, of C.D.O's and our U.S.D. staffs. It appears that one may have to cope with plenty of essential work daily with insufficient staff, while the other has mainly social work responsibilities including recommendation of people for insignia, with many staffs.
Finally, I propose the Urban Council should plan an 'I Love Hong Kong' Campaign. This is a good and practical way of building up a sense of belonging among all people in Hong Kong. It is lack of this sense of belonging which forms the root of the present social ills. Anyone who really and sincerely loves this place will do everything to make Hong Kong like his own home. Based on this, who wishes to do things that spoil the good name of Hong Kong, be it in hygiene, culture, pollution (refuse, noise, smell) security, corruption, social in- justice and indeed, many other aspects of community interest?
With these remarks, I support the motion.
MR. F. K. HU (in English):-Mr. Chairman, one of the Council's most outstanding achievements in improving the quality of life of the Hong Kong people has always been its cultural activities. There is no exception in 1977 as the Council this year, up to the end of November, sponsored 450 performances in the City Hall, enjoyed by over 250,000 people, and 634 outdoor events in ten urban districts to the enjoyment of 780,000 people. Outstanding and significant events included the Alvin Alley American Dance Company, Viennese Operatta Festival, Dublin Festival Theatre Company, Theatre du Silence and Madam Butterfly.
The Council presented the First International Film Festival of Hong Kong this year with over 40 films from 14 countries being shown side by side with Hong Kong films. The objective of the film festival is to gradually build up Hong Kong as a centre of international film exhibitions.
In answer to numerous requests, the Council organised the second Festival of Asian Arts this October on a bigger scale than the first one, with 370 overseas artists, including officials and guests, from India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Nepal, Philip- pines, Sri Lanka and Thailand besides Hong Kong's own performing art groups.
The indoor Festival programme comprised 71 events including 5 exhibitions and 1 Poster Exhibition. Ticket sales again reached 98%, the same as the previous one. During the two-week Festival, 47 outdoor programmes, some with overseas groups, were
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 139 of 174
239
staged at 16 different venues, a free show for over a 110,000 audience. It is firmly established that with high artistic standard coupled with good organisation, the Festival of Asian Arts has created an excellent image for Hong Kong abroad and it will be an annual event. matter of fact, we have already received offers from enthusiastic world- Asian artists to perform in the 3rd Festival next year.
As a
In April 1977, with the Council's approval of a budget of $1.9 million for the formation of a professional Chinese Orchestra and a professional repertory theatre company, the City Hall Projects Section was formed to manage these two projects. Mr. NG Tai-kong was invited by the Council to return from Singapore to assume the post of Music Director of the Chinese Orchestra. A 5-year plan for the development of these two projects has been drawn up and it is hoped with the progress of time, the Chinese Orchestra and the repertory theatre will reach a professional standard as well as an expanded scope of activities ready for them to become resident companies, together with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, at the Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Complex when it is completed in 1982.
In the first year of its existence the professional Chinese Orchestra, in name, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, plans to give 8 perform- ances at the City Hall and 10 school performances. The professional Chinese repertory theatre, in name, the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, will present 6 productions of 10 performances at the City Hall Theatre, 2 small production of 5 performances each at the Recital Hall and workshop/demonstrations at schools.
The establishment of these two new projects heralds the Council's new direction in its cultural policy. In addition to presenting a year- round programme of entertainment both inside and outstide the City Hall, for the first time it starts positively to create the arts and to develop a professional standard of performance. Young people who wish to devote their full careers to drama and Chinese music would now have a chance to do so.
Besides improving the stage facilities in the City Hall, such as lighting, sound systems, new electronic organ and stage equipment, etc., the Council has made many improvements in the premises. The air conditioning system of the Low Block has been improved in such a way that most areas have adequate and evenly distributed air condi- tioning. The original mural picture, that of a court of justice in Canton in the 19th Century on the 2nd floor of the Low Block, has been replaced by a colour enlargement of the painting "Victoria Harbour" by the late Mr. LUI Shou-Kwan. The construction of a
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.