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The permanent exhibition of the Hong Kong Museum of History, "The Hong Kong Story", which is extensive in scale and took six years to complete, was officially opened today (August 29) by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donald Tsang Yam-kuen. The exhibition will be opened to the public from tomorrow onwards, showing the people the natural environment, folk culture and historical development of Hong Kong between the Devonian Period 400 million years ago and the return of sovereignty of the territory to China in 1997.
Other officiating guests of the exhibition also included the Director-General of National Administration for Cultural Heritage of the People's Republic of China, Mr Zhang Wenbin; the Chairman of the Culture and Heritage Commission, Professor Chang Hsin-kang; the Chairman of the Antiquities Advisory Board, Professor David Lung; the Acting Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Leo Kwan Wing-wah; the Director of Architectural Services, Mr Pau Shiu-hung; and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Paul Leung Sai-wah.
Addressing at the opening ceremony, Mr Donald Tsang Yam-kuen noted that although many people thought Hong Kong had a history of only a hundred years or so, archeological findings revealed that the territory had been inhabited for over 6,000 years, and that her geological age was traced back to 400 million years ago. He said Hong Kong had indeed been built up from rich natural and cultural heritage.
He was impressed that Hong Kong's transformation from a fishing village into a world-class metropolis had been made possible only with the infallible spirit of her people. He stressed that Hong Kong people had overcome numerous challenges and crises over the years, and the reunion with the Motherland had opened a new page in her history. He added that "The Hong Kong Story" exhibition could show the people the unique natural and cultural heritage of this metropolis.
Mr Tsang said the exhibition, which costed HK$200 million and had taken six years to complete, illustrated vividly the natural environment, folk culture and historical development of Hong Kong, reflecting the professionalism of museum curators in collecting, preserving and researching Hong Kong's history over the past decades.
Mr Tsang also said that the Culture and Heritage commission set up last year was to advise Government on cultural policy and allocation of resources and hence taking Hong Kong further to become a cultural metropolis. He noted that in recent years, new museums had been opened one after another, and they were all well received by the public. The encouraging sign indicated that museums had become a major forum of learning beyond the classroom. A patronage of over 3 million last year spoke for their increasing popularity, Mr Tsang said.
Occupying an area of 7,000 square meters, "The Hong Kong Story" comprises eight galleries, namely "The Natural Environment", "Prehistoric Hong Kong", "The Dynasties: From the Han to the Qing", "Folk Culture in Hong Kong", "The Opium Wars and the Cession of Hong Kong", "Birth and Early Growth of the City", "The Japanese Occupation" and "Modern Metropolis and The Return to China". On display there is a rich mixture of ecological settings, panoramic screens, dioramas, over 3,700 exhibits, 750 graphic panels and 53 interactive programmes, giving visitors a new experience of Hong Kong's history.
The Hong Kong Museum of History is located at 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (next to the Hong Kong Science Museum). Admission is $10 with half-price concession for full-time students, people with disabilities and senior citizens aged 60 or above. Admission is free on Wednesdays.
The Museum opens from 10am to 6pm daily. In the first six months (from September 2001 to February 2002) of the opening of "The Hong Kong Story" exhibition, the Museum will open from 10am to 7pm on Sundays and public holidays. Meanwhile, the Museum will change its weekly closing day to Tuesdays effective August 30, 2001. During the initial opening period of "The Hong Kong Story" exhibition, special admission arrangements such as advance sale of tickets for three days and admission by hourly sessions may be made where necessary.
For details, please visit the museum's website at http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/hkmh/ or call 2724 9042.
Photo:The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donald Tsang, officiated at the Opening Ceremony of the Hong Kong Museum of History at Tsim Sha Tsui this (August 29) afternoon. Occupying an area of 17,500 square metres, the Museum comprised a Permanent Exhibition Gallery featuring a permanent exhibition "The Hong Kong Story". Divided into eight galleries, the exhibition outlines the natural environment, folk culture and historical development of Hong Kong in a life-like manner. Picture shows Mr Tsang unveiling a plaque to commemorate the official opening of the Museum.
End/Wednesday, August 29, 2001
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