1982 — Page 40

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

In the performing arts field, this year the Council expects to support 25 different local performing groups (apart from the Council's performing

companies) on a budget of nearly $1.7 million.

In addition to assisting local artistic groups, the Council also directly manages and finances three professional performing companies. They are the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (set up in 1977), the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre (also set up in 1977) and the more recent Hong Kong Dance Company

(set up in 1980).

to

The Council's policy regarding these companies has been consistently develop their artistic standards and repertoire. All concerts by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra are carefully planned to ensure a rich variety of programme. In this regard, emphasis is being placed on the commissioning of new works to widen the Orchestra's repertoire. The Hong Kong Repertory Theatre presents a balanced programme of Chinese as well as Western plays translated into Cantonese, both classical and contemporary. New scripts are invited to stimulate an interest in the writing of plays and an annual Drama Festival is also organized to provide training opportunities for experimental and new drama. The Hong Kong Dance Company performs Chinese traditional and folk dance as well as newly choreographed works based on historical Chinese themes and contemporary Hong Kong scenes. New dance pieces are also commissioned to build up the company's repertoire.

Clearly then, the Council is actively fulfilling its statutory function to promote local cultural activities. Indeed, it has evolved from a mere function into a full-fledged responsibility to the people of Hong Kong to encourage in every way possible not only an appreciation of the performing arts at world standards through inviting overseas groups to perform here, but even more importantly to encourage the flowering of local art and local artists in the performing arts field.

Together with the Government's Recreation and Culture Department, the Urban Council plans to give every support possible to cultural activities at the district level, especially to groups organized under District Board auspices.

Clean Hong Kong Campaign

Phase V of the Clean Hong Kong Campaign has to do with keeping the beaches clean, and will commence from July 1 until August 31, 1982. During the summer months, a very large number of residents will be going to the beaches and I would urge them to do their utmost to keep the beaches clean and tidy and to avoid littering the beaches with empty cans and any other forms of litter. The Urban Services Department is organizing a number of visits for Councillors to the beaches and I hope Councillors will actively do their share to visibly support the 'Clean Beach' phase of the Campaign.

PAPER

The following paper was laid on the table:-

(1) Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and

Secretary, Urban Council for the month of June 1982.

QUESTIONS

1. MR. STEPHEN M. L. LAU asked the following question (in Cantonese): What is the Council's policy towards opera performances in Urban Council venues during the Yue Lan Festival?

MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATIon Select Committee, replied as follows (in English): This question concerns the Council's policy on opera performances in Urban Council venues during the Yu Lan Festival.

Generally speaking, it is the Urban Council's policy to keep to the minimum the use of its venues for purposes other than those for which they are provided. Traditional religious meetings and worship, such as the Yu Lan Festival, where opera is performed, are only allowed on sites approved by the Recreation Select Committee and, in pursuance of this policy, the City Services Department, in close consultation with the City and New Territories Administration (formerly the Home Affairs Department) compiles a list of Urban Council controlled sites for consideration by the Recreation Select Committee every year. In compiling this annual list, the following principles are adhered to:

(a) no sites additional to those used in the preceding year are allocated in the following year and the Council is under no obligation to provide alter- native sites to replace those which cease to be available;

(b) no organizations other than those which are of firm standing and have arranged similar celebations regularly in the preceding years should be allowed to use a site in the current year;

(c) user organizations should be encouraged to group themselves together to

use one site instead of using two or three separately; and

(d) no organization should be allowed to occupy a site for longer than three

weeks.

Twenty one sites have been approved for this year's Yu Lan Festival.

Applications for the use of Urban Council sites must be submitted to the Urban Services Officers concerned at least 42 days before the actual function. Final approval is subject to compliance with all necessary structural erection, fire safety, crowd control and hygienic requirements as well as the relevant licensing conditions imposed by the authorities concerned.

In addition to the list of Urban Council venues, the Department also compiles a list of Crown Land and other sites for reference by all prospective organizers of the Yu Lan Festival and other traditional religious celebrations.

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