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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
In recent years, the cultural venues of the Council and of other organizations are ever expanding. With the establishment of the Council for Performing Arts, which provides advanced and sophisticated facilities for cultural performances, the Council's Hong Kong City Hall no longer serves as the leading cultural centre in the territory. The 23-year-old City Hall was opened in 1962, and its facilities are still widely used by the public and various organizations. Its usage rate is always maintained at the highest level—100 per cent. The Council has, over the years, improved upon its facilities and added more equipment, but it is still unable to meet the needs of the modern performing arts in many respects. Also, the concept and design conceived over 20 years ago could hardly cope with the increasing variety of the modern performing arts.
I am therefore greatly disappointed at the repeated delays in the completion of Phase II of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui. The project is to be constructed by the Government and then handed over to the Council for management. The Council also participated in the planning of the Centre and construction is already in progress. In last year's Statement of Aims, the Culture Select Committee expected the project to be completed and operational by 1988, but according to the latest estimate, it appears the project is unlikely to be completed before 1990. Therefore, in the Statement of Aims for the coming year, we can only place emphasis on the continued planning of facilities, the provision and training of staff and preparations for the opening of the Centre. I would like to urge the Culture Select Committee to prod the Government into action to complete the project speedily before it is affected by inflation and acute rise in construction costs. In this way, it not only updates the cultural facilities of the Urban Council, but also provides a first-class Museum of Art to meet the urgent needs of the people of Hong Kong, especially the young.
The acoustic design of the present Concert Hall in the City Hall is well praised by international performers and orchestras. It is the best venue in Hong Kong for music performances. The City Hall is much sought after by the local organizations and performing artists to stage their performances. It is believed the future usage rate will continue to be very high. In order to allow local performing groups, other organizations, and individual performers easier access to the use of the City Hall, I propose that the Cultural Activities Sub-Committee consider arranging more large-scale and high standard performances, such as dances, dramas, operas and big productions of the Council's performing companies, to be held in the Academy of Performing Arts. It will also help to attain one additional important target of the Culture Select Committee in 1986—to review the present booking system of the City Hall in order to provide more opportunities for local cultural organizations and young performers to perform in the City Hall.
This year, the Council will continue to organize three main topical arts festivals as declared in the Statement of Aims. Generally speaking, the programmes, artistic level and the objectives of introducing traditional arts of various Asian nations of the Asian Arts Festival are highly applauded.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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However, due to its limited popularity and public support, its attendance rate is sometimes open to criticism. The Council will conduct a comprehensive review this year on the Asian Arts Festival, whether to change its form or expand its scope in order to fulfil the objectives for which the Festival is founded. It is hoped the programmes will be more educational and popular without compromising the standards.
The 10th Hong Kong International Film Festival will be held from late March to early April this year. Preparation work is now under way. The Festival will present 40 to 50 films, including those under the themes of 'Ten Years of Hong Kong Cinema (1976–85)' and 'Cantonese Melodrama: 1950–1969' etc.
As to the third festival, which will be held in summer, a different topic is selected each year. The topic this year is 'Festival of Theatrical Arts'. Equal attention will be paid to both the overseas and local theatrical groups and artists.
The Council will continue its sponsorship of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, the Art Fringe and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra next year.
When I was Chairman of the Cultural Activities Sub-Committee in 1985, I have pointed out that a healthy and balanced cultural working plan should place suitable emphasis on various kinds of programmes, including the highly artistic programmes and programmes which will enhance the appreciative ability of the public, preserve and promote good traditions, help develop local artistic talents and encourage public participation. The Council should make good use of its resources in promoting and subsidizing all kinds of cultural activities.
Sir, I support the motion.
MR. FAN KAM-PING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, as the most junior member of Urban Council, this has been my first speech and my speech will be very brief. But for two days I have heard 23 different speeches and it has lasted for six hours and some of us might feel tired, so my brief speech will be a good gift to my colleagues and I have two requests basically. I hope that the Government and the Urban Council could consider my two requests.
Building of More Playgrounds in Kowloon
For many years, an annual sports meet (mainly track and field events) is one of the most important activities of nearly every secondary school. Being an Executive Committee member of the Hong Kong Subsidized Secondary Schools Council since 1978, I have had rather frequent contacts with many secondary school principals and know that every year, they have great difficulties in finding a venue for holding their sports meet, as there are so many schools vying for the use of the Mongkok Playground which is the only standard playground available in Kowloon for holding track and field competitions.
Page 123 of 195
214
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
In recent years, the cultural venues of the Council and of other organizations are ever expanding. With the establishment of the Council for Performing Arts, which provides advanced and sophisticated facilities for cultural performances. the Council's Hong Kong City Hall no longer serves as the leading cultural centre in the territory. The 23-year-old City Hall was opened in 1962, and its facilities are still widely used by the public and various organizations. Its usage rate is always maintained at the highest level-100 per cent. The Council has. over the years, improved upon its facilities and added more equipment, but it is still unable to meet the needs of the modern performing arts in many respects. Also, the concept and design conceived over 20 years ago could hardly cope with the increasing variety of the modern performing arts.
I am therefore greatly disappointed at the repeated delays in the completion of Phase II of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui. The project is to be constructed by the Government and then handed over to the Council for management. The Council also participated in the planning of the Centre and construction is already in progress. In last year's Statement of Aims, the Culture Select Committee expected the project to be completed and operational by 1988, but according to the latest estimate, it appears the project is unlikely to be completed before 1990. Therefore, in the Statement of Aims for the coming year, we can only place emphasis on the continued planning of facilities, the provision and training of staff and preparations for the opening of the Centre. I would like to urge the Culture Select Committee to prod the Government into action to complete the project speedily before it is affected by inflation and acute rise in construction costs. In this way, it not only updates the cultural facilities of the Urban Council, but also provides a first-class Museum of Art to meet the urgent needs of the people of Hong Kong, especially the young.
The acoustic design of the present Concert Hall in the City Hall is well praised by international performers and orchestras. It is the best venue in Hong Kong for music performances. The City Hall is much sought after by the local organizations and performing artists to stage their performances. It is believed the future usage rate will continue to be very high. In order to allow local performing groups, other organizations, and individual performers easier access to the use of the City Hall, I propose that the Cultural Activities Sub- Committee consider arranging more large-scale and high standard perform- ances, such as dances, dramas, operas and big productions of the Council's performing companies, to be held in the Academy of Performing Arts. It will also help to attain one additional important target of the Culture Select Committee in 1986—to review the present booking system of the City Hall in order to provide more opportunities for local cultural organizations and young performers to perform in the City Hall.
This year, the Council will continue to organize three main topical arts festivals as declared in the Statement of Aims. Generally speaking, the programmes, artistic level and the objectives of introducing traditional arts of various Asian nations of the Asian Arts Festival are highly applauded.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 123 of 195
215
However, due to its limited popularity and public support, its attendance rate is sometimes open to criticism. The Council will conduct a comprehensive review this year on the Asian Arts Festival, whether to change its form or expand its scope in order to fulfil the objectives for which the Festival is founded. It is hoped the programmes will be more educational and popular without compromizing the standards.
The 10th Hong Kong International Film Festival will be held from late March to early April this year. Preparation work is now under way. The Festival will present 40 to 50 films, including those under the themes of 'Ten of Hong Kong Cinema (1976–85)' and 'Cantonese Melodrama: 1950–
years 1969' etc.
As to the third festival, which will be held in summer, a different topic is selected each year. The topic this year is 'Festival of Theatrical Arts'. Equal attention will be paid to both the overseas and local theatrical groups and
artists.
The Council will continue its sponsorship of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, the Art Fringe and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra next year.
When I was Chairman of the Cultural Activities Sub-Committee in 1985, I have pointed out that a healthy and balanced cultural working plan should place suitable emphasis on various kinds of programmes, including the highly artistic programmes and programmes which will enhance the appreciative ability of the public, preserve and promote good traditions, help develop local artistic talents and encourage public participation. The Council should make good use of its resources in promoting and subsidizing all kinds of cultural activities.
Sir, I support the motion.
MR. FAN KAM-PING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, as the most junior member of Urban Council, this has been my first speech and my speech will be very brief. But for two days I have heard 23 different speeches and it has lasted for six hours and some of us might feel tired, so my brief speech will be a good gift to my colleagues and I have two requests basically. I hope that the Government ad the Urban Council could consider my two requests.
Building of More Playgrounds in Kowloon
For many years, an annual sports meet (mainly track and field events) is one of the most important activities of nearly every secondary school. Being an Executive Committee member of the Hong Kong Subsidized Secondary Schools Council since 1978, I have had rather frequent contacts with many secondary school principals and know that every year, they have great difficulties in finding a venue for holding their sports meet, as there are so many schools vying for the use of the Mongkok Playground which is the only standard playground available in Kowloon for holding track and field competitions.
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