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Visitors to the 2012 Bordeaux Wine Festival as well as the inhabitants of Bordeaux - the sixth largest city in France and a world capital of wine - are about to get a taste of Hong Kong culture thanks to a variety of film and music events organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels (HKETO, Brussels).
Hong Kong is firmly in the spotlight as this year's Guest City of Honour at the Bordeaux Wine Festival, which takes place from June 28 to July 1. Inspired by Hong Kong's own Wine and Dine Festival, the Hong Kong Tourism Board has erected two prominent pavilions at the famous riverside festival. In addition to showcasing Hong Kong's many attractions as a holiday destination, the pavilions will also host gourmet food and wine tasting, not to mention cooking demonstrations by star Hong Kong chefs.
The Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Andrew Wong, and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Mr James Tien, will join the Mayor of Bordeaux and other distinguished guests in officiating at the opening of the wine festival on June 28.
To give the visitors a diverse flavour of Hong Kong culture, the HKETO, Brussels is bringing its Hong Kong Film Panorama - a collection of recent Hong Kong films which tours major European cities every year - to Bordeaux for the first time. This is also be the first time that the Film Panorama will be held in the open air, with screenings in the 18th century Cour Mably, a former convent located in Bordeaux's the historic north west section of old city known as the Golden Triangle, which has been listed as a UNESCO heritage site.
The film panorama has been organised in co-operation with the City of Bordeaux, Cinésites and the Centre Jean Vigo Evènements. Five films will be screened between June 27 and July 2, namely Mr Alex Law's Echoes of the Rainbow, Mr Chan Hing-kai and Ms Janet Chun's La Comedie Humaine, Mr Freddy Wong's The Drunkard, Ms Ivy Ho's Crossing Hennessy and Ms Ann Hui's All About Love.
Speaking at the Hong Kong Film Panorama opening reception on June 27, in the presence of Bordeaux's Deputy Mayor, Mr Dominique Ducassou, and the Vice-President of Centre Jean Vigo, Mr Richard Torrielli, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Miss Mary Chow, noted that 2012 is a special year for Hong Kong as it marks the 15th anniversary of its reunification with China and its establishment as a Special Administrative Region under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle.
"Hong Kong remains the world's freest economy and offers one of the most vibrant and friendly business environments in the region," she said.
"We also take pride in being a creative hub, and our films serve as brilliant cultural ambassadors. Many people around the world, including those who have never visited Hong Kong, get to know our city through our movies and movie stars, many of which have enjoyed both popular success and critical acclaim, winning many international awards."
In addition to movies, the HKETO, Brussels has also arranged for SIU2, one of Hong Kong's leading fusion groups, to perform in Bordeaux. The group will play its distinctive crossover compositions using a mixture of traditional Chinese and Western instruments, creating a sonic portrayal of the unique blend of East and West that epitomises Hong Kong. SIU2 will give four performances at the Bordeaux Wine Festival Hong Kong pavilions as well as on the main stage of the related Bordeaux Music Festival on June 29. The band will also perform at the Bordeaux Wine Festival closing gala dinner, held at the Palais de la Bourse Main Hall on July 1.
Miss Chow closed her speech by inviting festival-goers to visit Hong Kong. "I hope that before long, like the 42 million visitors who came to Hong Kong last year, you will visit our city to enjoy our rich cultural heritage, fantastic food, sensational shopping, and beautiful countryside, islands and beaches," she said.
Ends/Thursday, June 28, 2012
Issued at HKT 04:00
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