The Asian Youth Orchestra (AYO) gave the final concert of its world tour in 2017 at the Centre for Fine Arts - Bozar in Brussels, Belgium yesterday (September 5, Brussels time).

     The grand finale Gala Concert of the AYO was one of the highlights of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) 20th anniversary celebrations organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels).

     Conducted by Richard Pontzious and with renowned violin soloist Ms Sarah Chang, the AYO performed “Don Juan” by Richard Strauss, the “Violin Concerto in D minor” by Sibelius and “Symphony No 7” by Beethoven.

     Earlier in the tour the AYO performed before 600 people at the Airbus Leadership University in Toulouse, France on August 21 (Toulouse time), as well as in Santander and San Sebastian on August 22 and 23 (Spain time).

     The AYO is one of three Hong Kong orchestras, the others being the Hong Kong Festival Youth Wind Orchestra and the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, to perform in Europe this summer with the support of HKETO, Brussels. The concerts gave European audiences an opportunity to appreciate the wealth of creativity and musical talent in Hong Kong. 

     At a reception before the concert for members of European and national institutions, the diplomatic corps, business circles, academics and the media, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Lam, said that Hong Kong has prospered under the unique “one country, two systems” principle over the past 20 years. 

     “Building on the high degree of autonomy that we enjoy and the freedoms that we cherish, Hong Kong remains an open and dynamic international metropolis that connects China and the rest of the world. Hong Kong is also actively involved in exciting national projects, for instance the Belt and Road Initiative and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area,” she said.

     Ms Lam added that in addition to its economic prowess, Hong Kong is blessed with many creative talents. The AYO, which its founders had chosen to base in Hong Kong, is particularly special, as its members are among the finest young musicians in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

     “I am delighted that some of the ambassadors of those countries have come to the concert to encourage their musicians,” she said.

     “As our Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, remarked at the start of their world tour, ‘Nothing is more valuable than investment in young people and investment in young musicians.’

     “We are keen to widen the horizons of our young people and help them to get to know other countries. Last month, the HKETO, Brussels brought to Belgium a group of 20 young people from Hong Kong - all 20 years old, the same age as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region - for an exchange programme. I am happy to say that they successfully completed the arduous Oxfam Trailwalker in the High Fens around Eupen, walking 100 kilometres within 30 hours and showing the true Hong Kong can-do spirit,” said Ms Lam.

Ends/Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Issued at HKT 23:46

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