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Some 11,000 participants with various abilities from the 18 districts, the commercial and education sectors, professional and charitable organisations today (December 2) gathered at Tsim Sha Tsui promenade and Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai to make a Guinness World Record attempt -- performing with percussion instruments for 10 minutes.
The event also marked the start of the nine-day International Festival of Inclusive Arts (IFIA) as well as the International Day of Disabled Persons (IDDP) 2006 which endorsed the message of inclusion.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, noted that the festival was finally being staged after more than a year of preparation since the Chief Executive announced in his Policy Address last year the launch of the IFIA. He thanked all involved for promoting the spirit of harmony and inclusion in the community.
Dr Chow said he was glad to see so many people with different abilities take part in the drumming event and various performances.
"I am proud that they are so courageous in overcoming obstacles, actively integrating into and contributing to the society," he said.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the honorable president of the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong, Dr David Fang, said today's event was a good illustration of social inclusion and showed that "arts are for everyone".
The chairperson of the Joint Council for the Physically and Mentally Disabled Hong Kong, Mr Cheung Kin-fai, who was also the chairperson of IDDP organising committee, said it was heartening to have a joint opening ceremony for IFIA and IDDP to drive home the message of "A Society for All" and teaming up to foster an inclusive society for people with or without disabilities.
"Beat the Drum for Inclusion" was the highlight of the opening event. Under the baton of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra Artistic Director, Mr Yan Huichang, over 11,000 participants with various abilities teamed up to give a mass percussion performance, "The Earth Shall Move" with their do-it-yourself musical instruments with a view to making a Guinness World Record.
In addition to "Beat the Drum for Inclusion", the opening event also featured a number of performances illustrating the participation and cooperation by people with different abilities, including "Saori Fashion Extravaganza" and "18-District Giant Puppet Parade".
Originated from Japan, Saori is a type of free-style weaving suitable for everyone and is popular among people with disabilities. Local students in fashion design utilised the woven products by weavers from rehabilitation organisations to design a series of Saori fashion items. In "Saori Fashion Extravaganza", models with or without disabilities, including Founder and Producer of mobileWOMEN.org, USA, Ms Wendy Crawford, Miss Hong Kong and artists, demonstrated hand in hand the beauty of the extraordinary.
Supported by the 18 district councils and local organisations, the "18-District Giant Puppet Parade" also showcased a collaboration of people with and without disabilities. They teamed up to operate giant puppets, based on different fairy tale characters, showing the unique features of their respective districts.
Organised by the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau and the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong, the IFIA provides opportunities for people with different challenges and abilities to collaborate in the arts, fostering a harmonious and inclusive society.
In the nine-day festival, there were five performing arts events showcasing the artistic talents of local, Mainland and overseas artists with and without disabilities; three inclusive arts exhibitions with different themes, a symposium and multi-media workshops featuring the theme of inclusive arts, and an extensive outdoor carnival.
For details, please visit the IFIA website at www.hkifia.net.
Ends/Saturday, December 2, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:00
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