Author Archives: hksar gov

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, May 9, 2019 is 104.5(up 0.4 against yesterday’s index). read more

     This summer, the International Arts Carnival (IAC) will offer a splendid array of inspirational and enjoyable programmes for all. Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the annual summer arts festival will run from July 5 to August 18 and will feature a series of arts programmes for families.
 
     In this year’s carnival, performing groups from Canada, Iceland, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Vietnam, along with local groups, will present a variety of programmes including theatre, acrobatics, music, dance, multimedia theatre, black light puppet theatre, opera for babies and a puppet musical. Films from around the world will also be screened.
 
     The Vesturport theatre group from Iceland will start the festival with “The Heart of Robin Hood”, an action-packed adaptation of the classic tale of Robin Hood. Acrobatics, live music and elements of romantic comedy add to the enthralling mix. The performers fly and dive with the help of a huge sloping wall, ropes and an onstage pool to engage in stunning fights.
 
     Vietnam’s Lune Production will perform “À á»� Làng Phố”, a work that immaculately merges acrobatics, contortionism, martial arts, dance, comic elements and modern stage design to showcase a dazzling feast with Vietnamese flair. Its director Tuan Le was the first solo artist member of Vietnamese descent in the world-famous Cirque du Soleil.

     Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia from Canada will use black light puppets and cheery music to stimulate curious young minds in “The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Favourites”. The Royal Swedish Opera will aim to inspire babies and toddlers with the original opera “Myriads of Worlds” with realms of colours, shapes, sound and motion. Theater Terra from the Netherlands will showcase engaging puppets and actors, a whimsical set and original songs in “The Little Mermaid”, based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale.
 
     La Companyia del Príncep Totilau from Spain will bring together actors and puppets, large-scale video images and movement in the entertaining multimedia music theatre work “Monsieur Croche: The Dreams of Composer Claude Debussy”, while Orquestra de Cambra de l’Empordà from Spain, with its 12 versatile string musicians, will put a delightfully different spin on the world of classical music in “Concerto a Tempo d’Umore”.
 
     The Only Stage will captivate the audience with pleasing Cantonese songs in “The Nightingale”. Contemporary dance group Unlock Dancing Plaza and Namstrops’ dancers from Japan, together with Sunfool, a pop-up paper art artist, will present a fun and energetic production in “KU-SO- OLYMPICS”. Fong Fong Projet d’Art will take kids and parents on an adventurous journey in “Chickens’ Eggsecutive Order”.
 
     Other attractive programmes will include:
 
* “STEAM – The Four Great Inventions” by Zuni Icosahedron;
* “A Musical Treasure Hunt 3” by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra;
* “A Sea of Smiling LT Ducks” by Hong Kong Dance Company;
* “The Odyssey of Little Dragon” by City Contemporary Dance Company;
* 2019 Hong Kong Youth Music Camp Concerts by the Music Office; and
* International Children’s and Youth Film Carnival 2019 by the Film Programmes Office.
 
     There will also be the “Summer Fun Party” presented by the Community Programmes Office and outreach and school touring programmes. Workshops, backstage tours and exhibitions will also be part of the extension activities of the IAC.
 
     Tickets will be available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) from tomorrow (May 10) onwards. For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999.
 
     For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.hkiac.gov.hk.

            

     The Constitution and Basic Law Parent-child Workshop organised by the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau will be held this Saturday and Sunday (May 11 and 12) at the Level 2 Atrium A of MOSTown, 18 On Shing Street, Ma O… read more

Attention TV/radio announcers:

 Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

 Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

      The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 9) that the Environmental Protection Department has classified the water quality at Clear Water Bay First Beach, Kiu Tsui Beach in Sai Kung District and Anglers’ Beach in Tsuen Wan District as Grade 2, and the water quality at Hoi Mei Wan Beach in Tsuen Wan District as Grade 3, which means the water quality has improved and the beaches are suitable for swimming. Red flags were hoisted at these beaches earlier due to the water quality being classified as Grade 4 and unsuitable for swimming.

      However, the red flags at Clear Water Bay First Beach and Kiu Tsui Beach in Sai Kung District are still hoisted due to big waves. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches. read more

    The Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present “Law Yim-hing, Ambassador of Alluring Beauty” as part of the “Morning Matinee” series at 11am on Fridays from June to August. Thirteen of Law’s films will showcase her iconic screen personas and phenomenal range in acting. Some of the films will be accompanied by post-screening talks hosted by film critics Hui Kin-cheung, Cheung Man-shan and Lau Yam and Law will attend the post-screening talk on June 7 to meet the audience.
 
     In addition, the HKFA will hold a free exhibition from June 7 to August 30 at the 1/F Foyer to review Law’s film career and the on- and off-screen anecdotes about her.
 
     Law Yim-hing, an early fan of Cantonese opera, was a disciple of Cantonese opera virtuoso Sit Kok-sin. Law made her screen debut in 1948 and with her solid martial arts skills from Cantonese opera training, she found fame in wuxia films. In her 20-year acting career, Law was featured in over 300 films, making her the most productive actress in Cantonese cinema by far. She traversed with ease a variety of film genres and amassed a large following of fans with her extraordinary charm and diversity of film roles, earning her the title “Ambassador of Alluring Beauty”.
 
     Law was the first actress to play the “White-haired Demon Girl” in Hong Kong cinema. Starring alongside Cheung Ying in the trilogy “Story of the White-haired Demon Girl” (1959), Law was the consummate wuxia heroine in a series of acrobatic combat scenes. In a sword dancing scene in the dark, Law dances with grace and fluidity while singing with passion, fully demonstrating her versatility.
 
     In “Seven Knights and Thirteen Chivalrous Men” (1967), Law and Tso Tat-wah join forces to combat the villain Sek Kin. The colourful mechanical film sets and spectacular special effects made the movie a hit, expanding Law’s popularity as a martial arts actress.
 
     “The Chilly River Pass” (1961) tells the story of General Fan Lei-fa (Law) and Sit Ting-shan (So Siu-tong). With training from Peking opera master Yuan Xiaotian, Law displays her acrobatic prowess in both the northern and southern operatic martial arts in the film.
 
     Yam Kim-fai paired up with Law in “How Tik Ching and the Five Tigers Conquered the West” (1962), playing Tik Ching and Princess Sheung Yeung respectively. The duo defeat the Western Liao invader and other enemies.
 
     The sing-song film “My Kingdom for a Husband” (1957) follows the romance between the Queen of the Snow Kingdom, played by Law, and a musician played by Cheung Ying. Cheung charms by performing Cantonese opera in Western costumes while Law impresses the audience with her femininity and glamour in various Western gowns. She even has a rare bathing scene that thrilled audiences.
 
     “True Love” (1958) is like a showcase of European court costumes in which Law is stunning in every court dress she wears. Playing a daughter of a warlord, Law falls in love with teacher Cheung Ying. This triggers the jealousy of her admirer Lam Kau, who schemes to ruin their romance.
 
     Yam Kim-fai collaborated with Law in over 60 films. “Playboy Emperor” (1953) is the earliest available costume sing-song film starring the duo. The Tang Emperor (Yam), who is obsessed with the beauty of Chang’e (Law) in a painting, falls into a reverie in the Moon Palace.
 
     “Tragic Love of Ping-kei” (1963) is performed by a stellar operatic cast including Ho Fei-fan, Leung Sing-por, Chan Kam-tong and Lee Hong-kum. Law plays Bai Ping-kei, a talented beauty who sacrifices her fortune for her family and country. In a heartrending suicide scene in which she drowns herself in a river, she touches the audience with her exquisite portrayal of inexpressible sorrow and poignancy.
 
     In “Punish the Unfaithful” (1955), the directorial debut of librettist Ng Yat-siu, Kam Yuk-lo (Law) is pushed into a river and rescued by a kind man who helps her to punish her unfaithful lover. The film delights audiences with the incredible singing skills of Law and the other two leads, Leung Mo-sheung and Leung Sing-por.
 
     In “Beauty Slain by the Sword” (1959), Woo Fung attempts to win Law’s heart by plotting to put her husband in jail. Woo played the villain’s role for the first time in this film; his slyness and hypocrisy contrast with Law’s delicacy and innocence.
 
     Law in “Our Family” (1964) gives a heart-breaking performance as an obedient wife who is abused by her snobbish mother-in-law, Tam Lan-hing. Through it all, Law subtly expresses her determination to uphold filial piety.
      
     All the films are in Cantonese and without subtitles.
 
     Tickets priced at $30 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme details, please call 2739 2139 or visit www.filmarchive.gov.hk/en_US/web/hkfa/programmesandexhibitions/2019lyh/index.html.