The Committee on Elder Academy Development Foundation (EADF) is inviting a new round of funding applications from school-sponsoring bodies of primary and secondary schools as well as post-secondary institutions interested in setting up elder academies (EAs) and organisations interested in organising activities that encourage elderly learning and intergenerational harmony. Applications should reach the Secretariat of the Committee on EADF by October 31.
           
     The Elder Academy Scheme aims to promote continuous learning for elderly people, active ageing and intergenerational harmony. The EADF mainly provides funding for primary and secondary schools as well as post-secondary institutions to set up EAs to provide learning opportunities in a school setting for the elderly. Funding is also provided for activities that encourage elderly learning and intergenerational harmony.
 
     Each approved EA in a primary or secondary school will be provided with funding of $122,000 for implementing a three-year programme. EAs which completed the first three-year programme may apply for funding of $60,000 for running a two-year programme.
 
     As regards applications for organising EA courses in post-secondary institutions or other applications, the Committee on EADF will assess and decide the funding amount according to the merits of individual proposals.
 
     Details of the funding applications can be downloaded from the website of the EA Scheme (www.elderacademy.org.hk). For enquiries, please contact the Secretariat of the Committee on EADF (Tel: 3655 5861/3655 5007; email: ea@lwb.gov.hk).

     The Land Registry today (October 3) released its statistics for September 2024.

Land registration
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*   The number of sale and purchase agreements for all building units received for registration in September was 3 843 (-18.7 per cent compared with August 2024 and -1.3 per cent compared with September 2023)

*   The 12-month moving average for September was 4 930 (0.1 per cent below the 12-month moving average for August 2024 and 0.6 per cent below that for September 2023)

*   The total consideration for sale and purchase agreements of building units in September was $27.7 billion (-19.4 per cent compared with August 2024 and -7.1 per cent compared with September 2023)

*   Among the sale and purchase agreements, 2 848 were for residential units (-22.1 per cent compared with August 2024 and -0.5 per cent compared with September 2023)

*   The total consideration for sale and purchase agreements in respect of residential units was $20.8 billion (-26.8 per cent compared with August 2024 and -8.5 per cent compared with September 2023)

     Statistics on sales of residential units do not include sale and purchase agreements relating to sales of units under the Home Ownership Scheme, the Private Sector Participation Scheme, the Tenants Purchase Scheme, etc, unless the premium of the unit concerned has been paid after the sale restriction period.

     Figures on sale and purchase agreements received for the past 12 months, the year-on-year rate of change and breakdown figures on residential sales have also been released.

     As deeds may not be lodged with the Land Registry until up to 30 days after the transaction, these statistics generally relate to land transactions in the previous month.

Land search
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*   The number of searches of land registers made by the public in September was 355 009 (-10.5 per cent compared with August 2024 but +7.0 per cent compared with September 2023)

     The statistics cover searches made at the counter, through the self-service terminals and via the Integrated Registration Information System Online Services.

     â€‹The Transport Department (TD) today (October 3) reminded members of the public that the westbound carriageway of the section of Lung Cheung Road (near Plaza Hollywood) between Hammer Hill Road and Po Kong Village Road will be temporarily closed in phases from 11pm this Saturday (October 5) to 5.30am the following day to facilitate footbridge erection works, and the following temporary road closures, traffic and public transport arrangements will be implemented during that period:

Road closures
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     The following road sections will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic at the times specified below:
 

Traffic diversion and public transport arrangements
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     During the closure of all three lanes of Lung Cheung Road westbound between Hammer Hill Road and Po Kong Village Road (1am to 5.30am on October 6), the corresponding eastbound carriageway of Lung Cheung Road will be temporarily converted into two-way traffic. At the same time, bus and Green Minibus (GMB) route diversions and associated temporary relocation of bus and GMB stops will be implemented as follows:
 

     The public transport operators concerned will display notices to advise passengers on the above special arrangements.

     Appropriate diversion signs will be erected on-site to guide motorists. Motorist should exercise patience and drive with care, pay attention to the traffic diversion arrangements and follow the instructions of the Police on-site.

     Members of the public are advised to plan their journeys in advance and allow sufficient travelling time, and stay alert to the latest traffic news through the media or the TD's mobile application "HKeMobility" or website (www.td.gov.hk).

     After a hiatus of seven years, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has once again invited pianists Stephen Wong and Amy Sze to present a piano duo recital in early November as the finale of this year's "Hong Kong Artists" Series, showcasing to audiences their extraordinary skills and exceptional chemistry. The recital is one of the programmes of the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival.
 
     In the first half of the concert, the duo will perform works for two pianos in different styles, including three pieces from Bach's cantatas (arranged by Leonard Duck), namely "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", "Sheep May Safely Graze" and "Sleepers, Wake!", as well as Dussek's "Sonata for Two Pianos in F, Op. 26" and Bolcom's "Recuerdos (Three Traditional Latin-American Dances) for Two Pianos". In the second half, Wong and Sze will present Schubert's "Fantasie in F minor, D. 940" for piano four hands, followed by Ravel's "Introduction and Allegro for Two Pianos" and Rachmaninov’s "Suite No. 2 for Two Pianos", concluding this musical journey on a high note.
 
     Wong was trained at the Royal College of Music in London, the United Kingdom, and received his Master of Music degree at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He has collaborated with the McGill Symphony Orchestra and Les Grand Ballet Canadiens de Montreal, and has performed at the Rome Chamber Music Festival in Italy and in many Asian locations. He has engaged in both solo and ensemble concerts, as well as collaborated with various musicians and choirs. Wong currently teaches at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the University of Hong Kong School of Professional and Continuing Education and the Education University of Hong Kong.
 
     Sze holds a Doctor of Musical Arts and a Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music, where she was awarded the prestigious Performer's Certificate. Sze has also won many prizes and awards throughout her career and has performed at global engagements. As a concerto soloist, she has collaborated with the Texas Fort Worth Chamber Orchestra, the Eastman Symphony Orchestra, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, among many others. She has also performed at major international festivals such as the Aspen Music Festival, the Cliburn Piano Institute, the Harbin Summer Music Festival, and the Salzburg Mozarteum Academy. She is currently a faculty member at the HKAPA, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the University of Hong Kong, and the HKBU, and has also been a member of the music advisory committee for the HKAPA, and St Paul's Co-educational College.

     The "Hong Kong Artists" Series: Piano Duo Recital by Stephen Wong and Amy Sze will be staged at 8pm on November 2 (Saturday) at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $240 and $280 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1704.html.
 
     The LCSD has launched the new "Hong Kong Artists" Series with an aim to provide a new platform for local artists to showcase their remarkable talent. In addition to individual performances, the series also encourages cross-genre works to highlight their unique styles. This year's series will first introduce six distinguished musicians in four stunning recitals, featuring the flute and bassoon, piano, and huqin, to bring enchanting music to the stage of Hong Kong City Hall and further enrich the diverse cultural ambience of the city. For more details, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1688.html.
 
     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 organises and co-ordinates 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 exchange and co-operation among the cities. For detailed information about the festival, please visit www.gbacxlo.gov.hk.

      

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Foshan Cantonese Opera Inheritance Institute (Foshan Cantonese Opera Troupe) will present the world premiere of Cantonese Opera film "The Legend of The White Snake" at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on November 2 and 3, as one of the highlight events of the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival. Li Shuqin, director of the Foshan Cantonese Opera Troupe and a winner of the China Theatre Plum Blossom Award and the Best Lead Actor at the Shanghai White Magnolia Awards for Theatrical Art, will perform alongside renowned Hong Kong Cantonese opera artist Law Ka-ying in this film, which aims to revive the well-known folk legend by blending cinematic presentation techniques with opera performance. Through this cultural exchange and collaboration in the form of Cantonese opera filming, it seeks to further promote in-depth co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong in content creation, production and promotion, and to jointly develop a cultural Bay Area.
 
     The Cantonese opera play "The Legend of The White Snake" is one of the classic repertoires of the Foshan Cantonese Opera Troupe and has remained popular over the years. Starring Li Shuqin (as Bai Suzhen) and Law Ka-ying (as Xu Xian), the Troupe brings the play to the big screen, and uses location shooting for some scenes that blend traditional Cantonese opera with modern cinematic elements to create a new form of classic heritage. It also marks Law Ka-ying's first role in a Cantonese opera film. By interpreting Cantonese opera in an innovative way, it enables the younger generation to learn more about its artistic and cultural essence.
 
     The Cantonese opera film "The Legend of The White Snake" boasts a strong production team: the film is directed by national first-class director Yin Dawei, and the script is adapted by Li Jianglin, a talented protégée of Cantonese opera master Law Ka-bo. Apart from Li Shuqin and Law Ka-ying, the main cast also includes seasoned performers from the Troupe, including Wai Guo (as Abbott Fahai), Yang Yan (as Xiao Qing), and more. The film won the Best Musical Feature Film Award at the 21st Universe Multicultural Film Festival. It also received multiple nominations at the 2nd Hong Kong Bauhinia International Film Festival, including Best Film and Best Art Direction. Li's outstanding performance earned her the Best Actress Award at the Film Festival, while Law was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
 
     The Foshan Cantonese Opera Troupe was established in 1957. It aims at training Cantonese opera talents, preserving excellent Cantonese opera repertoires, as well as promoting its development. In recent years, the troupe has actively explored the integration of Cantonese opera and modern culture, and has launched cross-border collaborative film works such as "Empress Zhou the Lesser", "Xiaofengxian" and "The Legend of The White Snake". While preserving the traditional artistic characteristics, it has also attracted more young audiences to engage with Cantonese opera.
 
     The Cantonese Opera Film "The Legend of The White Snake" will be held at 7.30pm on November 2 (Saturday) and 2.30pm on November 3 (Sunday) at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Lyrics and dialogue are with traditional Chinese and English subtitles. Tickets priced at $70 are available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2734 2960 or visit www.gbacxlo.gov.hk/en/programmes/the-legend-of-the-white-snake.
 
     The programme will also feature two post screening talks to be held at 9pm on November 2 and 4pm on November 3 at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The speakers will include Law Ka-ying, Li Shuqin and Yin Dawei, while Chinese opera researcher Ip Sai-hung will be the moderator. Members of the audience are welcome to stay behind to join.

     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 organises and co-ordinates 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 exchange and co-operation among the cities. For detailed information about the festival, please visit www.gbacxlo.gov.hk.