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Local students broadened their reading scope and expressed innovative thinking on Chinese history while participating in a creative competition titled "Modern China".
This successful competition, organised by the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), was held to celebrate "4.23 World Book Day" and to tie in with the centenary of the 1911 Revolution.
Aiming to stimulate youngsters' interest in Chinese history and improve their understanding of modern China, as well as to cultivate their critical thinking abilities by learning from the history to meet today's challenges, the competition clearly achieved its main goals.
Here are the thoughts of two students:
"Your (Dr Sun Yat-sen) philosophy of the Three Principles of the People impressed me most...... Not only could your principles be applied in the past, but they can also serve as an inspiration to present leaders."
"The Xinhai revolution made a change to the social atmosphere and brought the idea of democracy into people's minds. It has a profound influence on the modern China."
Speaking today (April 16) at the prize presentation ceremony for the creative writing competition, the Under Secretary for Home Affairs, Ms Florence Hui, encouraged students to follow the example of Dr Sun Yat-sen in making reading a lifelong hobby.
She also highlighted that through active reading and learning, students could pursue continuous personal development to contribute to the future of our city and our country.
Other guests attending the presentation ceremony included the Acting Assistant Director (Libraries and Development) of LCSD, Mr Yam Kin-pang; and representatives of the educational bodies that form the competition's adjudication panel ¡V Senior Curriculum Development Officer (Life-wide Learning and Library) of the Education Bureau, Mr Paul Wong; President of the Hong Kong Teacher-Librarians' Association, Ms Angel Leung; President of the Hong Kong Reading Association, Dr Lornita Wong; and Vice Chairlady of the Popular Reading Award Scheme of Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union, Ms Chan Hong-ching. Authors Ms Wu Yin-ching and Mr Tsui Cheuk-yin also shared with the awardees their experiences in reading and writing.
Promoting reading is one of the major missions of the HKPL. In support of the World Book Day, the HKPL has, since 2004, organised the "4.23 World Book Day Creative Competition" with a specific theme each year to broaden students' reading and develop diversified perspectives.
The winning students will receive a special gift this year, including "super passes" to the Hong Kong Book Fair 2011 presented by the supporting organisation, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC). The super passes give students free admission to the Hong Kong Book Fair.
About 1,000 entries from more than 200 schools were received. The competition, starting in November 2010, consisted of four categories: design a calendar card cover based on the image of any major incident or prominent figure of modern China (junior primary students); letters to prominent figures in modern China (senior primary students); reports on reading materials related to one of the historical events of modern China (junior secondary students); and essays on a self-proposed topic related to any historical profile or characteristic in China (senior secondary students).
Adjudicators selected the best entries in each category: 25 for the junior primary, 15 for senior primary Chinese and junior secondary Chinese, eight for senior primary English and junior secondary English, 12 for senior secondary Chinese and five for senior secondary English category.
Winning works from the competition are now on display at the Exhibition Gallery of the Hong Kong Central Library (HKCL) until April 30. A roving exhibition will be held at 19 public libraries from May 9 to August 31. They will also be showcased at the forthcoming Hong Kong Book Fair for public appreciation. The winning entries will also be uploaded onto the HKPL website.
Over the past few years, this creative competition has formed part of the Guangdong ¡V Hong Kong library collaboration and exchange programme. Adopting the same theme "Modern China", the Shenzhen Library and Shenzhen Children's Library organised a creative competition for adults and students. Some of the winning entries are on display in Hong Kong in 17 public libraries from today to September 30, while Hong Kong¡¦s winning entries will be shown at the two libraries in Shenzhen from April 23 till the end of July.
A "Meet-the-Author" talk was also held today at the HKCL for World Book Day, during which local history expert Mr Cheng Po-hung shared stories on some of Hong Kong's historical buildings and old streets with the audience.
Readers who borrow library materials from any HKPL on April 23 and 24 will receive a souvenir on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last.
For programme enquiries, please visit the website, www.hkpl.gov.hk, or call 2928 4603 or 2921 2646.
Ends/Saturday, April 16, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:26
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