*******************************************************
Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the opening ceremony of International Arts Carnival 2012 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre tonight (July 6):
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure here tonight to welcome you all to the opening performance of the International Arts Carnival.
Every year in the summer, the International Arts Carnival organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department offers a wide range of cultural and arts activities for the children, young people and families. These programmes are not only educational and entertaining, but also provide great opportunities for families to spend quality time together.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Carnival features two spectacular programmes to commemorate this special occasion. They include tonight's opening programme Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs by the Estonian National Ballet and the acrobatic extravaganza by the China National Acrobatic Troupe. Another highlight of this year's Carnival is the new Eco-Friend series, which aim to raise children's awareness of environmental protection through a green concert The Sound of Bamboo Music, and a large-scale multimedia puppet theatre titled Harmony.
The Government attaches great importance to audience building in the arts and supports arts education. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department for one has been promoting arts in schools and the community through various arts education schemes, enabling primary and secondary school students to appreciate and experience the arts.
In the new term of government, we will continue to strengthen arts education to raise the cultural literacy of our society and educate our young generation to value arts as a lifelong pursuit. I would like to thank the parents in the auditorium tonight who have been guiding your children to appreciate and enjoy the arts.
The seven-week long Carnival has put together over 400 stage performances and extension activities featuring 32 outstanding local and visiting arts groups. Hope you all will join in the fun and spend an exciting summer with us.
May I wish the Carnival every success and all of you a most enjoyable evening. Thank you.
Ends/Friday, July 6, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:02
NNNN
Windows Media format
Flash format