27th Chinese Poetry Writing Competition prize presentation ceremony held today (with photos)
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     The 27th Chinese Poetry Writing Competition prize presentation ceremony was held today (September 28) at the Hong Kong Central Library. Organised by the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the competition aimed to promote proficiency in Chinese language and the appreciation of Chinese literature with rhymes.

     The First Prizes in the open category and the student category went to Mr Johnson Lee and Hong Kong Shue Yan University student Miss Fok Wing-yee respectively.

     The two winning works feature different themes. The former describes the cotton tree as hale and hearty while the latter, through a description of the short life of flowers, encourages people to seize the day. Other winning works feature a wide variety of topics, including allegories on personal feelings and concern over current social issues.

     Speaking at the prize presentation ceremony, the Assistant Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Libraries and Development), Miss Rochelle Lau, said that the Chinese Poetry Writing Competition aims to promote greater interest in writing and appreciation of Chinese poetry. To tie-in with the competition, the HKPL has organised the Talk Series on Chinese Poetry Writing to introduce the characteristics, rhyming and writing skills of Chinese poetry.

     Other guests at the ceremony included adjudicators Professor Ho Man-wui, Professor Chan Chi-ching, Professor Nicholas Chan, Professor Wong Kuan-io and Professor Lau Wai-lam. Also adjudicating for this year's competition was Professor Tang Pui-ling.

     The HKPL has been organising the Chinese Poetry Writing Competition annually since 1991, with Chinese classical poetry and Chinese ci poetry competitions being held in alternate years. This is the 14th time that participants have taken the opportunity to showcase their literary talent in writing Chinese classical poetry.

     The competition received an enthusiastic response this year with more than 1,000 entries. Participants of the open category came from different walks of life, while those of the student category were mainly high school and college students.

     The competition consisted of an open category and a student category, each with a First Prize, a Second Prize, a Third Prize, five Merit Prizes and two Special Prizes. The winners' list and their winning entries (Chinese versions only) have been uploaded to the HKPL website at www.hkpl.gov.hk/poetrywriting.

     This year's winning works are on display from today until October 25 at the foyer of the South Entrance of the Hong Kong Central Library. A roving exhibition will be held at various public libraries afterwards. For details, please visit the above-mentioned website.    

Ends/Thursday, September 28, 2017
Issued at HKT 19:52

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