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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Ladies and Gentlemen, the meeting is called to order. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Miss Maria TAM on re-appointment to the Executive and Legislative Councils, and also to congratulate Dr. Kim CHAM on his re-appointment to the Legislative Council with effect from 1 September 1985. I am sure that I speak for all members in wishing Mrs. Elsie ELLIOTT much happiness on the occasion of her forthcoming marriage. (applause)
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 1985, were confirmed.
STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):---Some years ago there was a 'Smile Campaign' that was aimed as much at making Hong Kong a happy place as well as making it a happier-looking city. Regardless of the success or otherwise of the 'Campaign', Hong Kong had not much to smile about in the last few years. There was widespread concern about 1997, the stock market was down, the Hong Kong dollar was in the dumps, interest rates were prohibitive, invested capital was flowing out, and things were worrying all round. In these circumstances, there was little to smile about.
Following the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration in December last year, we are in an entirely new situation. Our foreseeable future is assured, the stock market is up, the economy is strong again, jobs are not difficult to find, investment funds are coming back and there is much more for Hong Kong people to smile about.
Over the years, and through good times as well as bad times, the Urban Council has fought for a better, happier and healthier life for our people. And it is now up to them to take full advantage of the manifold opportunities on the entertainment and cultural, and recreation and sporting fronts; in short, to go out and enjoy themselves, smile more and be happy.
Hardly a month goes by without a festival taking place in Hong Kong. More often than not it has been organized, sponsored and supported by the Urban Council. We are indeed a City of Festivals.
The Festival of Asian Arts enables Hong Kong people to enjoy the ethnic flavour of performances from all over the region, and since the inauguration of the Festival in 1976 performers have entertained us from every corner of Asia, enabling us to appreciate the vast and diverse cultural expressions of Asia
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
at the same time encouraging our community to support local talents. This Festival of Asian Arts has long been recognized as a major cultural happening in the Pacific Basin.
The International Film Festival, inaugurated by the Urban Council in 1977, has continued to grow in stature, enjoying an increasing response from top film-makers and distributors from all over the world.
This highly-popular Film Festival brings films from all over the world to Hong Kong for the enjoyment of local residents and to encourage their appreciation of the film-making art.
In promoting the arts and culture through festivals, the Urban Council is particularly mindful of the needs and interests of our younger population. With this objective in mind, the Council decided in 1982 to organize an international arts festival in summer to provide culture and entertainment for children and young people. A different theme is adopted each year. The first of such festivals was the Hong Kong International Children's Choir Festival held in Summer 1982, followed by the European Puppet Festival in 1983 and the Hong Kong International Youth Dance Festival in 1984.
This year, we will have the Hong Kong International Youth Arts Festival in July and August to mark the 1985 International Youth Year. The aim of this Festival is to bring together young people of different nations, races, backgrounds and religions in order to promote international friendship and understanding and to encourage cultural exchange through the universal medium of performing arts.
Other Council festivals of smaller and more localized scale are the annual Chinese Opera Fortnight and the annual Drama Festival.
With the support of district-based organizations, the Urban Council organizes festivities to mark the major traditional Chinese festivals, which are widely celebrated by local residents. These include the Lantern Carnivals during the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Spring Lantern Festival during the Chinese Lunar New Year, both of these being held at the Council's own parks and playgrounds.
The Council also supports festivals organized by other bodies, such as the Hong Kong Arts Festival and the Hong Kong Festival Fringe.
To promote the Dragon Boat Festival among the international community, the Urban Council supports the International Dragon Boat Races which are organized every year by the Hong Kong Tourist Association. Over the past nine years, these Races have developed into an international sporting event with the number of participating overseas teams growing year after year.
The Races not only preserve a major traditional Chinese festival, but also help foster international friendship among the team members and promote Hong Kong as a city of festivals and sports.
Page 27 of 195
Page 27 of 195
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Page 27 of 195
Page 27 of 195
27
26
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Ladies and Gentlemen, the meeting is called to orde I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Miss Maria TAM on re-appointment to the Executive and Legislative Councils, and also to c gratulate Dr. Kim CHAM on his re-appointment to the Legislative Council we effect from 1 September 1985. I am sure that I speak for all members in wish Mrs. Elsie ELLIOTT much happiness on the occasion of her forthcom
marriage. (applause)
MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 1985, were confirmed.
STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN (in English):---Some years ago there was a 'Smile Campaign' be that was aimed as much at making Hong Kong a happy place as well as mak it a happier-looking city. Regardless of the success or otherwise of the Campaign', Hong Kong had not much to smile about in the last few year there was widespread concern about 1997, the stock market was down Hong Kong dollar was in the dumps, interest rates were prohibitive, investe capital was flowing out, and things were worrying all round. In t circumstances, there was little to smile about.
Following the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration in December year, we are in an entirely new situation. Our foreseeable future is assured,t stock market is up, the economy is strong again, jobs are not difficult to fa investment funds are coming back and there is much more for Hong Ke people to smile about.
Over the years, and through good times as well as bad times, the Ur Council has fought for a better, happier and healthier life for our people. An is now up to them to take full advantage of the manifold opportunities on: entertainment and cultural, and recreation and sporting fronts; in short, to out and enjoy themselves, smile more and be happy.
Hardly a month goes by without a festival taking place in Hong Kong. more often than not it has been organized, sponsored and supported by Council. We are indeed a City of Festivals.
The Festival of Asian Arts enables Hong Kong people to enjoy the ethnic of performances from all over the region, and since the inauguration of Festival in 1976 performers have entertained us from every corner of enabling us to appreciate the vast and diverse cultural expressions of Asia
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
at the same time encouraging our community to support local talents. This Festival of Asian Arts has long been recognized as a major cultural happening
in the Pacific Basic.
The International Film Festival, inaugurated by the Urban Council in 1977, has continued to grow in stature, enjoying an increasing response from top film-
makers and distributors from all over the world.
This highly-popular Film Festival brings films from all over the world to Hong Kong for the enjoyment of local residents and to encourage their appreciation of the film-making art.
In promoting the arts and culture through festivals, the Urban Council is particularly mindful of the needs and interests of our younger population. With this objective in mind, the Council decided in 1982 to organize an international arts festival in summer to provide culture and entertainment for children and young people. A different theme is adopted each year. The first of such festivals was the Hong Kong International Children's Choir Festival held in Summer 1982. followed by the European Puppet Festival in 1983 and the Hong Kong International Youth Dance Festival in 1984.
This year, we will have the Hong Kong International Youth Arts Festival in July and August to mark the 1985 International Youth Year. The aim of this Festival is to bring together young people of different nations, races, backgrounds and religions in order to promote international friendship and understanding and to encourage cultural exchange through the universal medium of performing arts.
Other Council festivals of smaller and more localized scale are the annual Chinese Opera Fortnight and the annual Drama Festival.
With the support of district-based organizations, the Urban Council organizes festivities to mark the major traditional Chinese festivals, which are widely celebrated by local residents. These include the Lantern Carnivals during the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Spring Lantern Festival during the Chinese Lunar New Year, both of these being held at the Council's own parks and playgrounds.
The Council also supports festivals organized by other bodies, such as the Hong Kong Arts Festival and the Hong Kong Festival Fringe.
To promote the Dragon Boat Festival among the international community, the Urban Council supports the International Dragon Boat Races which is organized every year by the Hong Kong Tourist Association. Over the past nine years, these Races have developed into an international sporting event with the number of participating overseas teams growing year after year.
The Races not only preserve a major traditional Chinese festival, but also help foster international friendship among the team members and promote Hong Kong as a city of festivals and sports.
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