ENG-1987 — Page 313

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Recreation and The Arts

塑手

LEISURE time activities play a significant part in the everyday lives of the people of Hong Kong.

With their improved standard of living and the increased provision of a diversified range of recreational, sports and cultural facilities and programmes, the people have a wide choice as to how they spend their leisure time. While large numbers take part in or watch the many sporting events that are regularly held, others spend their leisure time going to the theatre, the countryside, the beaches and the many other available facilities at weekends or holidays. A great deal of interest is also shown in cultural events, as Hong Kong develops into a leading centre in Southeast Asia, with several large new cultural venues having recently been opened or about to open. Thousands of events are now held throughout the year. These events range from traditional Cantonese opera and puppet shows to ballet perform- ances, theatre, and orchestral music.

Funds and facilities for these pursuits, as well as further training and coaching opportunities for young sportsmen and students of the arts, have been made available largely by the government, the Urban Council, the Regional Council, governing sports bodies, voluntary associations and many private organisations.

On the cultural side, the City Hall marked its silver jubilee with ‘A Celebration of Hong Kong Artists', a festival demonstrating the achievements of local talent since the opening of this cultural landmark in Hong Kong.

The Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre, the first of a number of fully-fledged community arts centres in the urban area, staged its opening events in May. These centres aim to enhance the development and promotion of the arts in various districts.

The objectives of the Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts are to foster and provide training, education and research in the performing arts and related technical fields. The academy offers unique facilities and opportunities for the multi-disciplinary and bi-cultural training in Chinese and Western music, drama, dance and related technical arts. The building was financed by a $300-million donation from the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club and its annual running costs are being met by the government.

Countryside

Countryside recreation is an accepted part of the way of life for many people in Hong Kong. Country parks and woodlands on the urban fringes are used extensively by city dwellers for morning walking, shadow boxing and jogging, and by students for nature study, while more remote parks are used for hiking, picnicking, barbecuing, cycling, kite flying, orienteering and camping by those seeking a relaxing change of pace.

There are 21 country parks throughout Hong Kong, covering about 40 per cent of the land area. Within these country parks recreational amenities include picnic and barbecue