Hong Kong skyline comes alive in London at the 2009 Lord Mayor's Show (with photos)
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     Despite gale force winds and driving rain, Hong Kong once again enchanted the crowds at the City of London Lord Mayor's Show, with its biggest ever display at the event today (November 14, London Time). This is the fifth time that Hong Kong has been represented at the Lord Mayor's Show, which has been held in the city every year since 1215. The show developed around the newly appointed Lord Mayor's journey to swear an oath of allegiance to the reigning monarch.

     The theme of this year's entry was daily life in Hong Kong, using the distinctive Hong Kong skyline. The skyline was represented by six iconic Hong Kong buildings rendered into three-dimensional flags, ranging from 5-6m high. The buildings included HSBC and Bank of China. Circulating between these banners were skaters dressed up as Hong Kong's famous trams. The Procession entry also included drummers, a dragon dance team, and banners based on the colourful neon Hong Kong shop advertisements.

     A silk gift representing a Chinese cabbage or "choi" (in Cantonese this also means "wealth") was presented to the Lord Mayor at Mansion House using 16-foot-long chopsticks. Hong Kong's float is number 38, which in Cantonese signifies "Luck" and "Prosperity".

     Miss Sarah Wu, Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London, which devised and organised the display said: "We welcome the new Lord Mayor Elect of London, Alderman Nick Anstee and look forward to working with him. This year's Lord Mayor's Show entry demonstrates the vibrant and colourful life of Hong Kong, which is renowned for its world-class infrastructure and efficient transportation system that underpins our role as an international financial centre. We invite people from around the world to visit Hong Kong, enjoy the sights and travel for themselves on the real trams and ferries of Hong Kong."

     The Lord Mayor's Show attracts huge crowds on the city streets each year, while the BBC broadcasts it live to about two million people in Britain and globally. Hong Kong has a long tradition of working with the City of London and the Lord Mayor, who always makes a point of visiting Hong Kong during his tenure.

     The musicians and flag bearers are from the Medway Dragon and Lion Dance Association in Chatham, Kent.

     For more information on the Lord Mayor's Show visit www.lordmayorsshow.org.

Ends/Sunday, November 15, 2009
Issued at HKT 09:17

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