To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) held the "Celebration of National Day – A Thousand Youths in Chinese Costumes" evening gala tonight (October 4) at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai. About 1 000 youths of various organisations and groups from the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, dressed in traditional attire or clothing featuring traditional Chinese elements, participated in this event to promote Chinese culture.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the gala, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, said that Chinese costumes are the essence of traditional Chinese culture. The delicate craftsmanship embodies rich and profound cultural virtues. He added that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to promote the cultural industry and capitalise on Hong Kong's unique East-meets-West culture to promote the fine traditions of Chinese culture to the world.
Other officiating guests included the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu; the Convenor of the Working Group on Patriotic Education under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee, Ms Starry Lee; and the Director of the Paso a Paso Foundation Limited, Ms Melissa Pang.
The gala presented different facets of Chinese costumes by bringing together performing arts and fashion design. It kicked off with a lion dance performance by students from schools under Po Leung Kuk and a performance of the Chinese music piece "Eight Steeds" by the New Tune Chinese Orchestra. Following this, students from Pui Ching Primary School performed martial arts and Chinese drum, while a Mainland dance troupe of the Baima people from Sichuan presented ethnic songs and dances. Pianist Phoebus Chan, huqin artist Chan Pik-sum, cellist Chor Kai-hei and drummer Craig Lau collaborated on a quartet that combined Chinese and Western music.
In addition, youths dressed in Chinese costumes presented their meticulously prepared talent shows at the gala. Moreover, selected works of Dorian Ho, Grace Choi and Janko Lam featuring traditional Chinese elements were showcased in a fashion show by professional models, with renowned Hong Kong fashion designers sharing their design concepts. The gala also included segments introducing the characteristics of the Chinese costumes, along with fun and engaging quiz games, allowing the youths to gain a deeper understanding of China's long and colourful civilization, thus strengthening their cultural confidence and national pride.
The gala concluded with the singing performance by 75 youths on stage, bringing the ambience of the joyous celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China to a high point.
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