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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
Delegation of the Legislative Council Panel on Home Affairs concluded its eight-day duty visit in Japan and the Republic of Korea today (August 11). Delegation leader and Chairman of the Home Affairs Panel Hon Ip Kwok-him described the duty visit as very useful in enabling members to better understand the development of cultural software and preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Japan and the Republic of Korea.
"The experience of the visit has provided useful reference for Hong Kong. The delegation is impressed by the strong commitment of the government and local organisations in promoting arts education, community involvement in the arts, and cultural heritage in both countries." he said.
The delegation continued its duty visit in Seoul yesterday to obtain first-hand information on strategies and measures in development of cultural software and preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Members of the delegation met with officials of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and received a briefing on policy initiatives for promoting traditional arts and culture in Korea. They then visited the Insa-dong Cultural District to study the experience in transforming a heritage site into cultural and tourism resources. In the afternoon, members of the delegation paid a visit to the Noridan and Haja Foundation to study the experience of the social enterprise in helping the disadvantaged social groups and building social vitality through the promotion of arts and cultural performances and creative culture and business. They also visited the National Centre for Korean Traditional Performing Arts, and received a briefing on their experience in promoting traditional performing arts.
Members of the delegation visited the National Folk Museum of Korea to understand its work in promoting traditional culture and life of the Korean people today. They also visited the Leeum, Samsung Museum of Arts to study the experience of this private museum in the promotion of both traditional and contemporary artworks and arts education programmes to the public. The delegation will depart for Hong Kong in the evening.
Ends/Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:46
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