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With the support and sponsorship of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin (HKETO, Berlin) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the Hong Kong Children's Choir (HKCC) gave a concert on July 31 (Austrian time) at the University Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria.
Welcoming the choir on the stage, the Director of the HKETO, Berlin, Mr Stephen Kai Wong, said, "The HKSAR Government supports arts and culture as the policy is in line with the core values of Hong Kong as a free, diversified and open society. As a facilitator, the Government is committed to upholding the freedom of cultural and artistic creation and expression, as well as providing an environment that supports the development of culture and the arts, both contemporary and traditional. A new cultural district is currently being planned and built in Hong Kong, known as the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD). The WKCD will boost cultural and arts establishments in Hong Kong. Located at the wedge-shaped waterfront reclaimed land west of Kowloon, the WKCD will feature a new modern art museum, numerous theatres, concert halls and other performance venues under the management of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, which is directly financed by the Government."
Mr Wong added, "As part of the Government's support for the arts and cultural talents of Hong Kong, we are pleased to host this concert for the very young talents from Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Children's Choir. Founded in 1969, HKCC has made a tremendous contribution to children's arts education in Hong Kong. HKCC is the biggest choir in the world and the leading choir in Hong Kong. The choir led by Ms Kathy Fok has been well received and appreciated in many countries, gaining an international reputation as the 'Little Goodwill Singing Ambassadors' and 'one of the best children's choirs in the world'. I am most pleased that our young ambassadors came to perform in Salzburg."
The concert in Salzburg on July 31 comprised finely arranged repertoire featuring Western, Chinese and Hong Kong works of various genres, from sacred music to Jazz. Young, talented and energetic choristers stepped onto the stage and got ready to meet all music lovers there. One of the highlights was a commissioned work, "Bagatelle", extending the choir's friendliness to Austrian counterparts. Earlier, the choir also performed in Vienna as part of the "2011 Vienna - World Peace Choral Festival". In Salzburg the choir also visited Schloss Leopoldskron, where some of the most famous scenes of the movie "The Sound of the Music" were staged and which is now the home of the Salzburg Global Seminar.
Ends/Monday, August 1, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:59
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