Winners showcase their literary talent in Chinese Poetry Writing Competition (with photo)
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     The 24th Chinese Poetry Writing Competition prize presentation ceremony, organised by the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), was held today (September 25) at Hong Kong Central Library. Mr Wong Kam-hung and Mr Wong Kai-sum won the First Prize in the open category and the student category respectively with their outstanding ci poetry. In his poem, the former described the daily lives of people in their humble abodes, while the latter, a student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, commemorated his late father. Other winning works reflected a variety of topics including travel and lifestyle, the weather and seasons, and reminiscences about old friends.

     Speaking at the ceremony, the Assistant Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Special Duties), Mr Lee Yuk-man, pointed out that classical Chinese poetry, being the essence of traditional Chinese literature, exhibits not only beautiful rhymes and diction but also sophisticated nuances.

     Mr Lee added that the HKPL has long been promoting public interest in Chinese literature. Apart from enriching the Chinese literature collection, the HKPL has also organised various extension activities and writing competitions. The "Talk Series on Chinese Poetry Writing" it organised helped beginners gain basic knowledge about the writing and appreciation of rhyming literature in Chinese.

     Assistant Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Libraries and Development), Ms Rochelle Lau, and adjudicators Professor Ho Man-wui, Professor Wong Kuan-io and Professor Lau Wai-lam presented prizes to winners at today's ceremony. Other adjudicators for this year's competition were Professor Nicholas Louis Chan, Professor Chan Chi-ching and Professor Tang Pui-ling.

     The Chinese Poetry Writing Competition has been organised annually since 1991 to promote proficiency in Chinese language and appreciation of Chinese literature with rhymes. This is the 12th time that participants have showcased their literary talent with ci poetry.

     With more than 650 entries, the competition received an enthusiastic response this year. Participants in the student category are mainly high school and college students, while participants of the open category come from different walks of life.

     The competition consists of a student category and an open category, each with a First Prize, Second Prize, Third Prize, five Merit Prizes and two Special Prizes. The winners' list is as follows:

Student Category:
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1st Prize     Wong Kai-sum     The Chinese University
                               of Hong Kong
2nd Prize     Leung Tsoi-hang  Baptist Lui Ming Choi
                               Secondary School
3rd Prize     Yeung Wai-kin    St Mark's School
Merit Prizes  Cheng Chi-man    Hong Kong Shue Yan
                               University
              Cheung Sui-fan   Hong Kong Shue Yan
                               University
              Lam Tsun-ho      Queen's College
              Wan Hau-yin      The Community College
                               at Lingnan University
              Zhao Xiao-yu     The Chinese University
                               of Hong Kong
Special       Kung Shun-ching  Ju Ching Chu Secondary
Prizes                         School (Yuen Long)
              Lai Kin-to       TWGHs S C Gaw Memorial
                               College

Open Category:
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1st Prize         Wong Kam-hung
2nd Prize         Fan Yat-man
3rd Prize         Poon Siu-mang
Merit Prizes      Chan Wai-cheung
                  Chung Yat-fai
                  Huang Yee-chow
                  Lee Yu-tao
                  Ng Wing-pun
Special Prizes    Fong Fu-wing
                  Law Yue-on

     The 24th Chinese Poetry Writing Competition's winning works will be on display from tomorrow (September 26) until October 19 at the ground floor foyer at the South Entrance of the HKCL. A roving exhibition will be held at various public libraries starting next month. The schedule of the roving exhibition and the winning entries will also be uploaded to the HKPL's website at www.hkpl.gov.hk/poetrywriting for public viewing.

Ends/Thursday, September 25, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:54

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