Police will implement the following special traffic arrangements in various districts to facilitate grave sweepers, and to ensure smooth vehicular traffic movements and pedestrian safety during Chung Yeung Festival. Ch… read more
Organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC), the InnoCarnival 2024 (IC 2024) will be held from October 26 to November 3 at the Hong Kong Science Park with the theme of “Let’s Sail with Innovation and Technology”. The event is receiving support from over 75 programme partners, including local universities, research and development centres, government departments and other organisations. Through an array of interesting activities, it aims to promote innovation and technology (I&T) culture. IC 2024 is also one of the Special 75 events and Highlight Events of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Speaking at the media preview for IC 2024 today (October 4), the Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr Ivan Lee, said that the Commission has been committed to driving the I&T development of Hong Kong and raising the awareness of I&T culture in the community. He believed that the Carnival was an annual flagship event which could foster popularity of science culture, nurture the young generation’s interest in I&T, and attract more I&T talent in the long run.
The media preview exhibited the research and development (R&D) projects of several participating teams. Project team representatives presented their inspirational ideas, R&D processes, features and functions, and project applications. These projects include the “Flexible Exoskeleton for Load Transportation”, developed by the Chinese University of Hong Kong which provides personalised assistance to the wearer when moving heavy objects to reduce back strain and muscle activity, minimising the risk of lower back pain while maximising comfort and safety; as well as the “Dye Removal from Denim Textile Wastewater by a Combinative Adsorption and Regeneration System” developed by the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA), which is an environmental-friendly and cost-effective indigo dye treatment method using alumina-based adsorbents as efficient dye-adsorbent materials to remove indigo dye from textile wastewater.
In addition, representatives of Carmel Divine Grace Foundation Secondary School, introduced their anti-phone scam invention for seniors, “ElderDefender”. Equipped with speech recognition technology, the device would make use of artificial intelligence and big data technology to scan phone message to reduce phone scams by issuing a visual alert. This invention earned awards in the Hong Kong Student Science Competition organised by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, as well as the Second City I&T Grand Challenge organised by the ITC together with the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation.
Exhibition booths will be set up at the Hong Kong Science Park to showcase local I&T achievements, some of them with interactive games. Moreover, a diverse line-up of about 150 workshops and webinars across various subjects including artificial intelligence and energy conservation will be available during the carnival.
Prototypes of some of the winning I&T solutions of the Second City I&T Grand Challenge will also be displayed for trial in the IC 2024. To promote an I&T culture and enhance the application of I&T in the community, the second City I&T Grand Challenge was launched in March this year under the theme of “Hong Kong’s Got I&T”. It invited submissions from different sectors of the community to develop I&T solutions focusing on two subjects, namely “I&T for Nature (Yama)” (improving the operation and management of country parks and campsites, and enhancing hikers’ experiences in nature) and “I&T for Community (Community Wellness)” (enhancing support for carers). After rounds of assessment and pitching, over 50 awards under the four categories, which were the Primary School Group, the Secondary School Group, the University/Tertiary Institute Group and the Open Group, were presented at the Grand Pitch in August this year.
All IC 2024 activities are free of charge. Some of the activities require preregistration. Details are available at the thematic webpage (innocarnival.hk). Members of the public are most welcome to join.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 4) said that one new confirmed melioidosis infection case had been recorded in the past week (September 27 to October 3). The c… read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 4) reported the latest number of dengue fever (DF) cases, and strongly urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito c… read more
　　The 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival (the Festival) will roll out a wide variety of fabulous programmes in the “9+2” cities of the Greater Bay Area from October 19 to November 24. An enthusiastic public response caused tickets for the Opening Programme “Sound River” to be sold out earlier, while tickets for the Dance Drama “Wing Chun” Special Edition by Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre are also in high demand. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has announced that additional tickets and performances will be arranged respectively for the two programmes for the enjoyment of local audiences and tourists. The tickets will be available for sale from October 9 (Wednesday) onwards.
　　The Festival is presented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the People’s Government of Guangdong Province and the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region. Details on additional tickets and performances are as follows:
Additional tickets of Opening Programme “Sound River”
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　　Additional tickets for seats with restricted views or those originally reserved for technical purposes will be available on the URBTIX website (www.urbtix.hk), by the mobile app URBTIX and telephone (3166 1288). Each person can purchase a maximum of two tickets each time. Programme information is as follows:
Date and time: October 19, 2024 (Saturday), 8pm
Venue: Hong Kong Coliseum, Hung Hom
Prices: $75 (special offer celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China)
　　”Sound River” is a new work produced by contemporary renowned Chinese composer and conductor Tan Dun. Under Tan’s baton, the concert features the newly formed Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival Orchestra comprising members from the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, and Macao Orchestra to perform the world premiere of the work. Sixteen meticulously crafted films capturing precious snapshots during Tan’s journey from Europe, through the Arab world to Central Asia, then to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in the past 12 years, will be screened during the performance. Through interweaving light, shadows and music, the work immerses the audience onto a “Silk Road of sound” that explores the past and future. The programme will also feature distinguished Mainland singer Zhou Shen as a special guest to deliver the theme song.
　　For programme enquiries and related additional ticket arrangements, please call 2734 2960 or visit www.gbacxlo.gov.hk/en/programmes/sound-river.
Additional performances of the Dance Drama “Wing Chun” Special Edition by Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre
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　　Tickets for the two additional performances will be available at all URBTIX outlets, self-service ticketing kiosks, on the URBTIX website (www.urbtix.hk), by the mobile app URBTIX and telephone (3166 1288). Each person can purchase a maximum of four tickets each time on the first day of ticket sales. Information of the two additional performances are as follows:
Date and time: November 23, 2024 (Saturday), 2.30pm
　　　　　　　　November 24, 2024 (Sunday), 7.30pm
Venue: Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Prices: $200, $320, $420, $520 and $620
　　The dance drama “Wing Chun” was written by the Chairman of the China Dancers Association, Feng Shuangbai, and co-directed by acclaimed Mainland choreographers Han Zhen and Zhou Liya. The performance integrates martial arts with classical and modern dance, providing audiences with a captivating visual experience. This special edition of “Wing Chun” features a Hong Kong production team and artists, bringing new elements to the original performance. Hong Kong conductor Fung Ka-hing will lead local orchestra The Symphonic Pops in an accompaniment. Huang Danyang, a graduate from the School of Dance of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, will also take part in the performance. In addition, renowned Hong Kong singer George Lam was invited to produce a new theme song titled “Wing Chun” for the dance drama. He produced, composed, and sung the song, with lyrics by Keith Chan.
　　For programme enquiries and related additional performance arrangements, please call 2734 2960 or www.gbacxlo.gov.hk/en/programmes/wing-chun-special-edition.
　　Hong Kong is the host city of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival for the first time this year. It is organising and co-ordinating over 260 performances and exchange activities to be held across the “9+2” cities of the Greater Bay Area. The festival aims to showcase the vibrant and diverse cultural richness of the region, and foster cultural exchanges and co-operation among the cities. For detailed information about the rich programme line up of the festival, please visit www.gbacxlo.gov.hk.
