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Following is a speech by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang at a joint concert by the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and Guildhall School of Music & Drama, in the Lilian Baylis Theatre, Sadler・s Wells, London on November 3 (London time) (English only):
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Welcome to this joint concert by students from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, presented by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London.
I am particularly pleased to welcome Ms Biddie Baxter, whose late husband, Dr John Hosier, was instrumental in the formation of the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts and its rapid acceptance as a world-class institution of creative learning.
In the early 1980s, when he was the Principal of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Dr Hosier served on the committee that advised the Hong Kong Government on the establishment of an academy for post-secondary training and education in the performing arts. He subsequently accepted an invitation to become the Academy・s Director in January 1989. By the time of his retirement in 1993, he had achieved accreditation for the Academy and established it as a major centre for the arts in Asia.
In the years since, pupils and staff from each institution have continued to build on the relationship, culminating in the joint concert we are here to enjoy tonight. This joint venture also forms part of the Guildhall CONNECT project, a laudable initiative to promote cross-cultural collaboration. Through these efforts, creative and performing artists are able to meet, exchange skills and ideas, share resources and explore new ways of learning.
The programme for this evening blends traditional melodies with youthful improvisation. In a sense, this joint concert is symbolic of Hong Kong itself, a city where East meets West, a crossroads of capitalism, culture, commerce and communications. Our arts scene reflects this unique cultural blend.
Many people in the United Kingdom will know a little about Hong Kong. Their mental image will probably be of a city of skyscrapers and bright lights, a stunning harbour and crowded streets.
Hong Kong is a city renowned for its business acumen and an economy consistently ranked as the world・s freest. Those of you who have visited us will know that we also have some of the best shopping and restaurants in the world.
But there is a real heart beating beneath the initial impressions. It gives life to a vibrant cultural scene that boasts some of the best performing arts groups in Asia, in ballet, theatre and music, as well as acclaimed movie makers and actors.
Ours is an open and pluralistic society, welcoming people from around the world. As anyone who visits will quickly become aware, the buzz of Hong Kong is one of life・s great experiences and truly marks it out as Asia・s world city.
We have worked hard over the years to establish an international culture in Hong Kong, and we are being rewarded with a younger generation filled with a passion to achieve their utmost in their chosen fields.
The young musicians you will hear tonight from both cultures will share that passion and that commitment to give us a performance to remember.
So please, sit back and enjoy the evening.
Ends/Friday, November 4, 2005
Issued at HKT 10:18
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