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The new Hong Kong Avenue of Comic Stars is a path of around 100 metres in length in Kowloon Park. Here you can take photos with local comic characters, such as Old Master Q, Cowboy, Wang Xiao Hu and McDull, or clap your hands on the handprints of local comic artists like Dr Tony Wong and Mr Ma Wing-shing. For those who want to know more about Hong Kong comics, guided tours in Cantonese, English or Putonghua are available.
Located near the Park Lane Shopper's Boulevard entrance of Kowloon Park, the avenue displays 24 sets of vividly painted figurines of local comic characters and 10 bronze handprints of local comic artists. There is also a Gallery of Comic History and Development and a Gallery of Comic Education to introduce visitors to Hong Kong comics history, the production process, tools, workshops and manuscripts.
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, officiated at the opening ceremony of the avenue today (September 28). He said the comics industry is a key part of Hong Kong's creative industries and has made a substantial contribution to the local economy. The Government's sponsorship to set up the Hong Kong Avenue of Comic Stars is a further boost to the promotion of the industry.
"By displaying classic comic characters of different eras, the avenue makes us relish Hong Kong comics of the past and gives the new generation and foreign tourists a chance to experience for themselves the creativity of Hong Kong comics. I believe the avenue is set to become a must-see spot for tourists and will help to enhance Hong Kong's image as Asia's world city," Mr So said.
"The Government is committed to the development of local comics industry. Since the establishment of Create Hong Kong office in June 2009, the Government has sponsored more than ten projects amounting to some $18 million to drive the development of the industry. With the concerted efforts from the industry, we are confident that Hong Kong's comics industry will keep prospering," he added.
The avenue is a three-year project sponsored by Create Hong Kong and co-organised by Hong Kong Comics and Animation Federation, Hong Kong Productivity Council, Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Industry Support Centre, Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Arts and Culture Co-ordinating Committee of the Yau Tsim Mong District Council.
Guided tours and interactive workshops will be organised to give tourists and students a deeper understanding of the exhibits. Large scale activities will also be held annually to turn the avenue into a new tourism spot.
For details of the avenue, please visit the website www.comicavenue.hk or download the smartphone application software "Hong Kong Avenue of Comic Stars".
Ends/Friday, September 28, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:31
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