"A Symphony of Lights" expanded to celebrate HKSAR's 10th anniversary
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    Already the World's Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show on Guinness World Records, ¡§A Symphony of Lights¡¨ will be further expanded to embrace 10 more landmark buildings to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the HKSAR.

     From the 26th of this month onwards, there will be a total of 43 buildings featured in this nightly spectacle - 23 on Hong Kong Island and 20 on Kowloon side.  The expanded show with rooftop pyrotechnic displays on both sides of Victoria Harbour will be launched by the Acting Financial Secretary, Mr Stephen Ip, on June 26.

     With the enlarged ensemble of participating buildings, the precinct of ¡§A Symphony of Lights¡¨ has expanded considerably. Just on Kowloon side alone, the inclusion of Ocean Terminal - Harbour City in the west and EMax in the east in ¡§A Symphony of Lights¡¨ has doubled the span of the show on the Kowloon side.

     The overall lighting effects of the show will be enhanced.  With more light emitting diodes (LED) lights and searchlights, as well as a laser to be used for the first time on a Kowloon building, namely K11, there will be greater interaction of these lighting fixtures on both sides of Victoria Harbour.  Together they will result in more vivid colours and brand new lighting patterns.

     LED lights, searchlights, flood lights and lasers are lighting fixtures commonly used by the buildings participating in "A Symphony of Lights".  These lighting fixtures are more energy efficient than traditional lighting installations.

     The special lighting effects have been composed to reflect the five themes of the show, namely ¡§Awakening¡¨, ¡§Energy¡¨, ¡§Heritage¡¨, ¡§Partnership¡¨ and ¡§Celebration¡¨.

     ¡§Awakening¡¨ begins with flashes of laser lights that give life to a nucleus of light-energy that gradually illuminates participating buildings using an array of dancing lights and rainbow colour.  This scene symbolises the genesis and powerful growth of Hong Kong.

     The second scene ¡§Energy¡¨ is represented by the display of rising colour patterns and the sweeping of the lasers and searchlights energetically across the night sky, signifying the vibrant energy of the city.

     In the third scene ¡§Heritage¡¨, traditional lucky red and gold colours are displayed across buildings on both sides of the harbour, complemented by the introduction of music using Chinese musical instruments, symbolising Hong Kong's colourful heritage and rich cultural traditions.
 
     The fourth scene ¡§Partnership¡¨ features a display of laser beams and sweeping searchlights scanning across the harbour, representing an illuminated connection with the opposite side. Beams reach out to symbolically connect the two sides of the harbour into one greater and unified partnership.

     The finale ¡§Celebration¡¨ brings out a powerful rhythmic display of swirling, kaleidoscopic patterns of lights and beams dancing lively across the harbour. The exciting final scene signifies the celebration of the close partnership between the two sides of the harbour and represents an even brighter future for Asia's world city ¡V Hong Kong.

     The 10 new members of ¡§A Symphony of Lights¡¨ are Ocean Terminal ¡V Harbour City, Langham Place, K11, Harbourview Horizon All-Suite Hotel, Harbourfront Horizon All-Suite Hotel, EMax, Bank of America Tower, Standard Chartered Bank Building, The Gateway ¡V Harbour City and Oterprise Square, with the latter four joined earlier in May.

     The best viewing locations of the expanded show include the Golden Bauhinia Square Promenade in Wan Chai, the Avenue of Stars and Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade in Kowloon.  Public address systems have been set up at these vantage points to broadcast the synchronised soundtrack during show time from 8 pm to 8.13 pm every day.  To fully experience the magic of light and sound, spectators are recommended to watch the show with the specially composed music.

     Spectators can also listen to the synchronised soundtrack by tuning in to FM103.4 (English), FM106.8 (Cantonese) or FM107.9 (Putonghua); or via their mobile phones by dialling 3566 5665 (English) or 3566 5668 (Putonghua).

Ends/Sunday, June 24, 2007
Issued at HKT 11:15

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