â€‹The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will hold "Celebrating the National Day – Harbour Run For Fun" and "People and Pets in Celebration of the National Day" on September 22 (Sunday) for members of the public to experience the joyful atmosphere of celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
      
     "Celebrating the National Day – Harbour Run For Fun", which was open for enrolment earlier, received overwhelming support from the public, and the registration quota was reached rapidly. "People and Pets in Celebration of the National Day", including the "Carnival for People and Pets" and the "Cute Pet Parade and Grooming Competition", will take place in the vicinity of the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section) and Tamar Park from 10am to 1pm. Admission is free. Activities in the "Carnival for People and Pets" include different parent-child game booths, workshops on Chinese culture, an exhibition showcasing the achievements of Hong Kong athletes and a park orienteering activity and various performances to celebrate National Day, such as dragon and lion dances, Chinese martial arts, fitness exercises, Chinese ethnic dances and rope skipping. Citizens are welcome to join on the spot. Participants will receive souvenirs if they collect stamps.

     "Cute Pet Parade and Grooming Competition" will be organised in the pet garden at the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section) on the event day, welcoming citizens to join with their pets. Participants can showcase their creativity by dressing their pets in National Day-themed costumes, competing for the Best Dressed Pet Award and the Best Teamwork Award.
      
     Each participant in the above competition will receive a certificate and souvenirs. Interested persons can enrol online through the website, between 8.30am on September 12 (Thursday) and 11.59pm on September 18 (Wednesday). The enrolment quota is 25 participants. Enrolment is free and on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the quota is full, an announcement will be made via the website and the "LCSD Plusss" Facebook page. If there are remaining spots, citizens can enrol on-site between 9.30am and 10am. Entrants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
      
     Moreover, a free pet play area will also be set up at the pet garden. There will be various play facilities for citizens to enjoy with their pets. No reservation is required.
      
     For more information about the competition and the points to note for participants, citizens can visit the website. For enquiries, please contact the Central and Western District Leisure Services Office at 2853 2566 during office hours.

     The 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival, 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, will be held in the "9+2" cities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) from October 19 to November 24. Hong Kong will be the host city of the Festival for the first time. The Festival, with the theme of "Integration in Diversity – Power and Possibilities", aims to showcase the vibrant and diverse cultural richness of the region and foster cultural exchange and co-operation among the cities.
      
     The programme parade of the Festival was held today (September 10) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Addressing the event, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, said that the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will organise the opening programme of the Festival and co-ordinate over 260 performances, exhibitions and exchange activities to be held concurrently in Hong Kong and other GBA cities. Major arts organisations in Hong Kong, including the nine major performing arts groups, the West Kowloon Cultural District, the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Hong Kong Members Association and the Hong Kong Arts Festival Society, will also present a wide range of programmes in the Festival, demonstrating the unity of Hong Kong's arts and cultural sector in support of this GBA cultural mega event.
      
     One of the major features of this year's festival is that a number of programmes that are jointly presented by the LCSD, municipal governments and arts organisations of various GBA cities will be staged in Hong Kong, highlighting the in-depth exchanges and co-operation among the artistic talents in the GBA. The opening programme of the Festival is the world premiere of "Sound River", a work produced by contemporary renowned Chinese composer and conductor Tan Dun. He has travelled to the Silk Road, Central Asia and the GBA in the past 12 years and has recorded 16 sounds and moving images from different cities to create the "symphonic poem for 16 films" through interweaving light, shadow and music. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival Orchestra, newly formed by members of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra and the Macao Orchestra, will perform under the baton of Tan. The programme will also feature distinguished Mainland singer Zhou Shen as a special guest to deliver a song. This programme will be broadcast live on television, radio and the Internet. Details will be announced in the programme webpage www.gbacxlo.gov.hk/en/programmes/sound-river later on.
      
     A wealth of signature arts and cultural programmes with the characteristics of the Bay Area and the Lingnan style will also be staged in this year's festival. They will be infused with Hong Kong elements to create an extraordinary cultural exchange experience. Highlight programmes include a special edition of the dance drama "Wing Chun" from Shenzhen. Based on the original performance, Hong Kong artists will participate in the production, including the theme song "Wing Chun", which is produced, composed, and sung by renowned local singer George Lam, with lyrics by Keith Chan. Local young conductor Fung Ka-hing will lead local orchestra, the Symphonic Pops, to play the soundtrack live. Huang Danyang, a graduate from the School of Dance of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, will perform together with the Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre as a collaboration in creating a production that combines martial arts, dance, pop music and creativity from both places.
      
     The "ChoreoMusica Soiree", an original production of Xinghai Concert Hall from Guangzhou, premiered to critical acclaim last year. This time, the Hong Kong version will feature renowned cross-disciplinary artist Tsang Man-tung as artistic director, director and choreographer. With his unique aesthetic vision, Tsang will lead Hong Kong dancers and musicians from the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra to reinterpret the works of Ravel and Piazzolla, bringing audiences a feast intertwined with music, dance and imagery.
      
     The Festival also serves as a platform for exchanges, co-operation as well as cultural and artistic integration among the youth in the GBA. The "POP KONG" concert is produced by veteran musician Chiu Tsang-hei. Talented young singer-songwriters and a band from Hong Kong and Mainland China will perform their original compositions and popular hits to showcase the talents and creativity of young artists from both places. Led by music director Ng Cheuk-yin, the 2024 Zhuhai-Hong Kong-Macao Choral Concert, "Songs Echo My Voice", will feature six children and youth choirs from the three places to perform Chinese pop songs, allowing audiences to revisit pop classics and experience the charm of choral music from a new perspective. Also, Winky Wong and Chiutung from the popular girl group Beanies will be emcees. Their vibrant charisma will set the stage for a fun-filled evening and a fresh and exhilarating experience.
      
     The Foshan Cantonese Opera Troupe will bring "The Legend of the White Snake", a classic repertoire preserved by the troupe, to the big screen to present the love story between Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian. The film was shot in a real-scene manner, and was directed by acclaimed Mainland national first-class director, Yin Dawei. Li Shuqin, the director of the troupe and a national first-class actor, and renowned Hong Kong Cantonese opera artist Law Ka-ying will take the lead roles of the film. This production has 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. Opera fans should not miss the two screenings that will be organised during the Festival. 
                    
     During the Festival period, members of the arts and cultural field will gather in Hong Kong. Taking this opportunity, the LCSD will organise the Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Symposium 2024 at the Ko Shan Theatre to explore new trends in the evolving arts and cultural scenes in the region to foster cultural exchange and future collaboration. The public seminars on October 25 and roundtable conferences on October 26 under the Symposium will be open for the public with free registration.
      
     For the dates and venues of the above-mentioned highlight programmes, please see the Annex. Tickets will be available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) from September 12 (Thursday) onwards. For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. A limited-time offer is available from September 12 until 25 for purchasing the selected stage programmes of the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2734 2960 or visit the Festival's website www.gbacxlo.gov.hk.
      
     In terms of exhibitions, a free exhibition "Celebrating National Day – Auspicious Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Greater Bay Area", presented by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, will be held at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum from October 19, 2024 to March 31, 2025. Featuring auspicious animals, the exhibition will introduce intangible cultural heritage of the Bay Area to the public, including performing arts, traditional craftsmanship, and festive events, showcasing the superb skills and profound cultural substance. The "Heritage and Inclusion: Literary Treasures of the Greater Bay Area" exhibition will be held at the Hong Kong Central Library.
      
     In addition, the LCSD and Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau will jointly host the Guangzhou Culture Week during the Festival, inviting Guangzhou troupes to perform the Cantonese opera "Princess Wencheng" and dance drama "Awakening Lion". Other visiting programmes include the arts tech showpiece "+1+1+1+" by Japanese media arts visionary Daito Manabe, choreographer MIKIKO, and her dance group ELEVENPLAY, as well as a concert by the renowned clarinettist and composer Kinan Azmeh featuring local musicians. Both programmes are also part of this year's Asia+ Festival. The "2024 GBA Youth Symphonic Spectacular" concert will showcase the young music talent of Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Macao, while the annual cultural extravaganza, "Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances 2024", will bring together the art and allure of more than 20 Asian countries. Local arts organisations also present various drama, dance, music and multi-media performances, film screenings, free exhibitions, talks and more, which will allow audiences to experience different kinds of humanistic charm in the Bay Area.
      
     Apart from the above-mentioned programmes in Hong Kong, the LCSD will also bring Hong Kong's intriguing arts and cultural productions of different forms and styles to Bay Area cities through the Festival, and collaborate with artists there to foster integration and co-creation, demonstrating the harmonious and cultural pulse of the Bay Area in the new era.
      
     In terms of music programmes, young musician KaJeng Wong will perform works of Bach and Mozart in Jiangmen, Guangzhou and Dongguan; "Teriver Cheung & Friends" concerts in Macao and Guangzhou will showcase the jazz power of new generation; internationally renowned violinist Yao Jue will lead the Hong Kong String Orchestra to perform the world premiere of "Cantonese Opera Fantasia" in Zhongshan, Foshan and Zhuhai; the Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble will present "Museum Series: The Sounds from Cultural Relics" concerts in Guangzhou and Zhongshan to reveal the fascinating stories behind cultural relics; the "Sunrise, Sunset" concert for the "Every Life is A Song" Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Pop Music Week in Zhongshan will feature musicians from the GBA to present the daily life and spirit of Hong Kong from dawn till dusk; and the "POP KONG" concert will be held in the Tide Music Festival in Guangzhou.
      
     Meanwhile, the Cantonese opera "Love in the Bamboo Grove", which premiered at the Hong Kong Arts Festival last year to critical acclaim, will be staged in Foshan and Zhuhai; the Utopia Cantonese Opera Workshop will reshape the classic Cantonese opera "Floral Princess" in Foshan and Guangzhou; the "Sans voix – Cent voies" by La P en V will be presented at the 21st Guangdong Dance Festival in Guangzhou; and the multimedia art production "Ashtanga" by Samana will be staged in Shenzhen. The "Ink Arts Ensembles – Exhibition Series in the Greater Bay Area" in Shenzhen will feature works of nine Hong Kong and Mainland artists to showcase the achievements of contemporary ink art and future trend.
      
     During the Festival, the 11 cities in the Bay Area will present a rich variety of signature programmes, covering music, dance, drama, fine arts, literature, film and television, and Chinese opera, and launch a number of exchange and co-operation projects. For more information about the programmes and activities to be held in different cities in the Bay Area during the Festival, please visit the above-mentioned Festival website.

                  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for TWGHs Wong Tai Sin Hospital gave the following update today (September 10):
 
     Following a contact tracing investigation, one more patient, an 85-year-old female in the Department of Tuberculosis and Chest ward was identified as a carrier of Candida auris without signs of infection and transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further medical care in isolation. The patient passed away due to her underlying illness.
 
     A series of enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the ward concerned:
 

1. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures;
2. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients; and
3. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the wards concerned.

 
     The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the ward concerned. The hospital has reported the case to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

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 (September 10) that the shark prevention net at Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island, has been repaired and the beach is reopened.

     The beach was temporarily closed earlier for shark prevention net maintenance work.
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Committee on Respect Our Teachers Campaign:

     Organised by the Committee on Respect Our Teachers Campaign (CROTC), the Salute to Teachers 2024 – Teachers' Day and Commendation Certificate Presentation Ceremony was held today (September 10). The Acting Secretary for Education, Mr Sze Chun-fai, officiated at the ceremony this year and paid tribute to more than 1 600 teachers, the highest number on record, for their dedication to the teaching profession.

     The Chairman of the CROTC, Mr William Lee, expressed appreciation for the dedication and professionalism of teachers. They work tirelessly every day to nurture students, cultivate their moral integrity, guide them in their pursuit of goals with dedication, and contribute to society in the future, he said.

     Mr Sze expressed gratitude to all teachers for nurturing talent with dedication. He said that Hong Kong has many professional and excellent teachers. They have solid knowledge, professional teaching competencies, high moral character, and can lead by example to serve as role models for students. Their tireless and selfless dedication is worth our respect, he added.

     Mr Sze said that a professional and conscientious teaching force is the key to the success for Hong Kong's high-quality education development. The Education Bureau is committed to supporting the professional development of teachers by providing systematic training for them at different stages of professional development and supporting teachers to enhance their professionalism to cope with the duties and challenges of different positions. He was confident that Hong Kong's teaching force will continue to keep abreast of the times, uphold the core mission of "cultivating values and nurturing talent", strengthen students' affection for and sense of belonging to the country, and sharpen students' skills and abilities.

     Organised by the CROTC, and in its 29th year, the Teachers' Commendation Scheme aims to foster a culture of respect for teachers. Secondary schools, primary schools, kindergartens and special schools may each nominate two teachers who have shown commitment and excellence in teaching. Over 38 000 teachers have been commended.

     Other officiating guests at the ceremony today included the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms Michelle Li; the Chairman of the Education Commission, Dr David Wong; and the Chairman of the Committee on Professional Development of Teachers and Principals, Professor Alvin Leung.