ENG-1990 — Page 371

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RECREATION. SPORTS

AND THE ARTS -

LEISURE activities make an important contribution to the quality of people's lives. Hong Kong residents now enjoy access to a very wide range of recreational, sporting and cultural facilities. Many of these are provided by the Urban and Regional Councils, which build and operate sports halls and pitches, swimming pools and parks, museums, libraries and major performance venues, as well as organising and supporting a host of cultural, sporting and recreational activities. The government's policies on recreation, sport, culture and heritage matters are co-ordinated by the Recreation and Culture Branch, headed by the Secretary for Recreation and Culture. He is assisted by several expert advisory bodies, including the Sports Development Board, the Council for the Performing Arts and the Antiquities Advisory Board. Many other individuals and associations play an essential role in creating and improving opportunities for fulfilling leisure activities in Hong Kong.

Highlights of the year included the dedication of the Hong Kong Science Museum in November, with a wide range of interactive exhibits on science and technology designed to inform and entertain visitors. Nearly half the exhibits are original designs created jointly by the Urban Council's museum staff and overseas teams. Both councils operate extensive library services in their respective areas. The Regional Council operates mobile library vans to reach remoter areas, and during the year opened two new libraries in Tai O on Lantau Island, and Sha Tau Kok in the New Territories. Among the recreational facilities completed in 1990 were the Urban Council's indoor games hall in Ho Man Tin, and a Regional Council outdoor recreation centre at Tso Kung Tam. The two councils mounted numerous cultural and entertainment events during the course of the year, including the 13th Asian Arts Festival, presented by the Urban Council in October, and ‘RegCo 90', the Regional Council's second bi-annual festival in November, which included one of the biggest float parades ever staged in Hong Kong.

The Arts

In world terms, Hong Kong's arts community is still in its youth, with all the characteristics of dynamism, new ideas and rapid growth which that implies. While talent and creativity have always been present, it was only in recent years that it has been possible to make the investment which is enabling the arts community to establish its own identity, as well as to increase the number and range of performances. As a result there are now two professional orchestras, three full-time dance companies, three professional drama groups and hundreds of amateur groups, including choirs, folk dance groups and drama clubs. The Urban and

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