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The following is issued on behalf of the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education:
Are you a fan of the local design brand Chocolate Rain? Whether you are or not, you're welcome to pick up a free copy of the 2014 civic education desktop calendar designed by Chocolate Rain founder Prudence Mak starting from this Friday (December 20) at various locations including the Home Affairs Department Public Enquiry Service Centres, public libraries, city and town halls.
The Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education (CPCE) produces a desktop calendar for public distribution to promote civic education every year. Designed by Prudence Mak, it is hoped that the latest edition of the calendar, with special monthly themes and reminders, coupled with her lovely illustrations, will encourage more care for the family and community, nurture a positive outlook on life and values such as respect and inclusiveness, responsibility and love, for a better and more harmonious Hong Kong.
Commenting on the creative process, Ms Mak said the calendar's design took about two months. Based on her "Patchwork Village" story, the calendar includes characters such as an old lady selling carton papers and an old man fixing items in need of repair to showcase monthly themes such as perseverance, care and love.
"I lived in a squatter area much like 'Patchwork Village' when I was little. We were not rich and had to fulfill our daily needs by using scraps here and there, just like my characters' patchwork clothes. However, we had a close-knit community with people looking after and respecting each other, and people who worked hard to get by. These memories have had a big impact on me and I hope to pass on the spirit of the old society through my creations," said Ms Mak.
Among the calendar's different monthly themes, that for September matches Ms Mak's founding concept. "Chocolate Rain is a mix of the bitter (rain) and the sweet (chocolate), as in the saying 'life is like a rainbow'. You need both sun and rain to create all the colours."
Ms Mak hopes her design can help to bring some positive energy to the public in the year ahead.
The calendar is available from Friday on a first-come, first-served basis at the Home Affairs Department Public Enquiry Service Centres, public libraries, city and town halls, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Civic Education Resource Centre on 7/F, Youth Square, 238 Chai Wan Road, Chai Wan.
An electronic version of the calendar will also be available on the CPCE website (www.cpce.gov.hk/calendar2014) for downloading from Friday.
For enquiries, please call 2802 0131.
Ends/Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Issued at HKT 12:04
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