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The Hong Kong Ballet will perform a powerful new ballet, "The Legend of the Great Archer", at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on May 14, 2004 (Vancouver time) in Vancouver as an integral part of a major "Relaunch Hong Kong" initiative organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) (HKETO) to promote closer cultural ties between Hong Kong and Vancouver.

Vancouver is the second stop of the Hong Kong Ballet's North American Premiere of the Legend of the Great Archer created by the Hong Kong Ballet Artistic Director Stephen Jefferies, inspired by the classic Chinese folk tale about Yi, the Archer God who saved the world by shooting down nine of the ten scorching sun. Symbolising Hong Kong's renewed dynamism and vibrancy, the new play is the combination of Chinese and western cultures at their best.

As Hong Kong's contribution to Canadian culture, the HKETO has partnered with the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver (CCC) and the City Government of Vancouver to present the Hong Kong Ballet performance as a fund-raising event in support of CCC's expansion program.

Pledging his support on behalf of the people of Vancouver and in his capacity as the Hon Adviser of the Hong Kong Ballet Vancouver Performance at a joint press conference held this morning (March 10, Vancouver time), the Vancouver Mayor, Mr Larry Campbell said: "Hong Kong Ballet is bestowing a great honour on Vancouver by bringing this premier performance of The Legend of the Great Archer to Vancouver.

"Our Chinese Canadian community is at the forefront of our city's cultural, social and economic life and this event will build even stronger ties between Vancouver and Hong Kong. I wish everyone of our citizens could share in this gala performance."

Also speaking at the press conference, the HKETO Director, Mr Bassanio So, said: "The Legend of the Great Archer symbolises how Hong Kong has recovered and re-launch itself by overcoming one difficulty after another since the SARS outbreak last year.

"Hong Kong is Asia's world city. Our culture is deeply rooted in China and yet constantly enriched by the West. The blending of Chinese and Western cultures and traditions is a major driving force for Hong Kong's dynamism.

Describing Hong Kong Ballet's "The Legend of the Great Archer" as a perfect mixture of East and West with the dancers mainly from Hong Kong and Asia and its Artistic Director Stephen Jefferies formerly a world-renowned ballet dancer from the National Ballet of Canada, Mr So said this cultural initiative would be a fitting contribution to Canadian culture by raising funds in support of the most important cultural organization in Vancouver's Chinese Canadian community.

The Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Vancouver and the Hon Adviser of the Hong Kong Ballet Vancouver Performance, Mr LI Yuanming, also pledged his support for the event. "The Chinese Consulate General is pleased to participate in this meaningful project to bring China and Canada closer together in the area of cultural exchange to enhance a deeper understanding of Chinese traditions and values in the Canadian community," he said.

Joining Mayor Campbell, Director So and Consul General Li at the press conference were the two Hon Chairs of the Hong Kong Ballet Vancouver Performance, Mr Monty Jang and Dr Peter Wong who were excited about this cultural initiative.

"I am very happy that CCC could co-organise the event with HKETO and the City of Vancouver and present this world-class performance of the Hong Kong Ballet," Mr Jang said.

Dr Peter Wong said he personally believed deeply in cultural exchanges which CCC had done much over the years.

"This Hong Kong Ballet performance is definitely a very unique opportunity for Hong Kong, China and Canada to work together in promoting an initiative of great cultural significance," Dr Wong said.

The Chair of the Hong Kong Ballet Vancouver Performance Organising Committee, Mr Brian Lo, thanked the HKETO for the generosity of making the performance a fund-raising event for CCC, the City of Vancouver for its full support and involvement in this project, and Chinese Consul General LI Yuanming, Mayor Larry Campbell of Vancouver and Mayor Alan Lowe of Victoria for their commitments to work with HKETO and CCC as a team.

Pre-sale of tickets at C$200, C$100, C$50, C$40 and C$30 for the Hong Kong Ballet Performance in Vancouver will commence on March 20, 2004. Box office details will be announced shortly. For enquiries, please call CCC at (604) 658-8850.

Various categories of sponsorships are also available for organisations and individuals interested in supporting this fund-raising event. Please contact CCC for further details.

The Hong Kong Ballet Vancouver Performance is supported by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Information Services Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and sponsored by the J P Morgan, Tour East Holidays (Canada) Inc, Air Canada and Cathay Pacific Airways as sponsors. The event's premium media sponsor is Fairchild Media Group in conjunction with Fairchild TV, Fairchild Radio and Talentvision. Media sponsors include Ming Pao and Sing Tao Daily has offered its support.

Background information:

Incorporated in 1973, the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver (CCC) has striven to preserve and promote the Chinese culture and heritage, it is the mandate of CCC to foster better understanding and act as the bridge between Chinese and the community at large.

Over the past 30 years, CCC has developed a comprehensive range of education and cultural programmes, specialising in promoting the learning of the Chinese language. There are now 4,000 students in our Chinese School in different locations in British Columbia from West Vancouver to Coquitlam. In addition, CCC organises a variety of events including historical displays, arts exhibits, concerts and theatrical performances, as well as cultural celebrations on Chinese New Year, Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival. Apart from the educational and cultural aspects, CCC also offers a wide range of community services, namely services for women, seniors and youth, language training and immigration workshops.

The CCC has an operating cost of C$2 million per year. Membership fees, cost recovery programs, fundraising events and rental income are the primary source of income to support our community services, education programs and other cultural celebration events. Annually, CCC has two major fundraising events: Telethon/Radiothon and Fundraising Dinner. It is with the support of community service clubs, corporations and donors that we could reach our goals and continue our steadfast mandate.

Ends/Thursday, March 11, 2004

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