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The Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, Mr Steve Barclay, has warmly welcomed the Hong Kong Dance Company (HKDC) to New York City before its US premiere of "The Legend of Mulan" at Lincoln Center.
Speaking at a press conference held in conjunction with the closing ceremony of the "Spotlight Hong Kong" exhibition on March 3 (New York time), Mr Barclay said the performance and the exhibition shared the aim of promoting Hong Kong's unique East-meets-West culture to the arts-savvy New York audience.
Mr Barclay said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been rigorously supportive of the developments in the arts and culture sector, with financial support provided to major performing arts groups that include the HKDC.
He said that, to further support the creative industries, the Government would put in place a number of initiatives such as setting up Art Development Matching Grants Pilot Scheme; increasing funding to support more small to medium-budget films and identify new film talents; and launching a special fund to promote Hong Kong's fashion designers and brands.
Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the HKDC, Mr Wilson Fung, said the dance troupe, as a cultural ambassador of Hong Kong, has brought the city's unique artistic style to the world with its original productions. He said that the dance company, which will celebrate its 35th anniversary next year, found it opportune to share its original production, the folklore dance drama "The Legend of Mulan", with New York's discerning audiences.
The Artistic Director of the HKDC, Mr Yang Yuntao, said that in capturing the poetic spirit of "The Legend of Mulan", the HKDC transformed the narrative voice into dance movement, and paid meticulous attention to the aesthetic effect. He added that the HKDC, born in a metropolis that connects tradition and modernity, seeks to reinterpret traditional Chinese culture in a new, contemporary perspective.
Deputy Director of China Arts and Entertainment Group (CAEG) Cultural Exchange Centre, Mr Winston Wang, said "The Legend of Mulan" is the fourth production in an ongoing relationship between CAEG and the David H Koch Theater of Lincoln Center. This also marked the second overseas collaboration between CAEG and the HKDC, following a successful tour of "Qingming Riverside" in Washington, DC, in 2013.
In addition to the four performances at Lincoln Center from March 5 to 8, the HKDC will take part in a number of cultural exchange activities, including a masterclass with the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation and a workshop with students from the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts. For the last performance on March 8, 40 children from the local New York area have been invited to chant the classic poem "Ballad of Mulan".
The press conference featured dance scenes by Ms Pan Lingjuan, the Principal Dancer who will be the lead dancer in "Mulan". Hong Kong violinist Mr CheHo Lam, who performed the Chinese classic "Butterfly Lovers", ended the seven-day exhibition in a brief ceremony. A set of collectable postcards designed by Hong Kong children and young people aged 7 to 17, on their visions of the city that they call home, were also distributed.
Ends/Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Issued at HKT 21:37
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