Hong Kong showcased at the famous Salzburg Seminar
A photographic essay of Hong Kong was opened today (June 28) at the famous Salzburg Seminar which is dedicated to promoting international dialogue and cross-cultural understanding.
Opening the exhibition, 'Hong Kong Vision', the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joseph Wong said: "It captures the fusion of East and West, the vibrant economy, the cultural diversity of a crowded but highly efficient city, and the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong's way of life."
He paid tribute to the outstanding work of renowned Belgian photographer, Mr Jean-Dominique Burton, who visited Hong Kong in 2001 and recorded the vivid life of the city through his camera lens.
Mr Wong said Hong Kong was just recovering from the SARS outbreak of the past few months.
"Now I am pleased to tell you that the epidemic is over and our life is back to normal. When you visit Hong Kong, you will be received by smiling faces and you can enjoy the cosmopolitan life of Hong Kong as usual, the same as depicted in this exhibition," he said.
In welcoming the delegation and guests from the Hong Kong, the president of the Salzburg Seminar, Dr Olin Robison, said the seminar, which was originally founded after the Second World War to bring together mainly Europeans and Americans, had expanded into a global programme, which was especially engaged with Hong Kong and other regions throughout Asia.
"Few forums in the world today can provide tomorrow's leaders with the international exposure provided by programmes in Salzburg in which 150 countries are represented over the course of a year," he said.
Later at a dinner co-hosted by Hong Kong as part of the post-SARS re-launch, Mr Wong said it was very gratifying to be celebrating with the people of Salzburg the value of culture and the arts in the international dialogue to which the Salzburg Seminar is dedicated.
He said Hong Kong used to be called 'a borrowed place on borrowed time'. But this term no longer applied.
"The openness that has helped our business and professions flourish has also helped Hong Kong develop a vibrant and unique culture. Hong Kong has learnt that openness develops the arts, and the arts encourage openness," Mr Wong said.
"Hong Kong's cultural and artistic scene is a wonderful blend of oriental and western cultures. But above all, Hong Kong is a meeting place of ideas and people. That is why I think we have something important to share with the Salzburg Seminar," he said.
End/Saturday, June 28, 2003
