World-renowned Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson will visit Hong Kong in June to stage a recital in the Great Music 2024, presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). He will perform one work, the Bach classic "Goldberg Variations, BWV 988", in an interpretation accomplished with technical virtuosity and unique musical perspective, while showcasing his extraordinary charm.
       
　　O�lafsson dedicated his 2023/24 season to a "Goldberg Variations" world tour, and brought Bach's masterpiece to major concert halls around the world, including London's Southbank Centre, New York's Carnegie Hall, Wiener Konzerthaus, Philharmonie de Paris and Tokyo's Suntory Hall, to name a few. This time, he will stage his performance at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre to share this iconic work of Bach with music fans in the city.
 
　　As one of the most sought-after musicians of today, Ólafsson has a remarkable piano technique, with an unusual vision in arranging repertoire. His multiple awards include Opus Klassik Instrumentalist of the Year and Confederation of Scandinavian Societies' International Nordic Person of the Year in 2023, a Rolf Schock Prize for Music in 2022, Gramophone's Artist of the Year in 2019 and more.
       
　　The "Piano Recital by Víkingur Ólafsson" will be staged at 8pm on June 11 (Tuesday) at the Concert Hall of Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets priced at $250, $350, $450, $550 and $650 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1667.html.
　　
　　A pre-concert talk entitled "Explore Bach’s 'Goldberg Variations' " (in Cantonese) will be held at 6.45pm on June 11 at Level 4 Foyer Reception Area, Auditoria Building, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The speaker will be music educator Calvin Lai. Admission is free, with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
　　The LCSD will present its Great Music 2024 from May to November, with acclaimed musicians and orchestras from all over the world as well as a local talented music producer performing in a musical extravaganza series. The programme enables audiences to feel the city's arts and cultural buzz through music, showcasing the unique charm of Hong Kong as a metropolis where East meets West. For more details, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1682.html.

    

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 13) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.

Attention TV and radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 13) that due to the sighting of a suspected red tide, the red flag has been hoisted at Shek O Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach until further notice.

     Police today (May 13) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Wong Tai Sin.
      
     Poon Chung-lung, aged 62, went missing after he was last seen at Lion Rock Country Park yesterday (May 12) afternoon. His family made a report to Police on the same day.
      
     He is about 1.7 metres tall, 60 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a long-shaped face with yellow complexion and short grey hair. He was last seen wearing a white short-sleeved T-shirt, dark green trousers and black sports shoes.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of Kowloon East on 3661 0331 or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) today (May 13) launched the 2024 Mainland-Hong Kong Joint Funding Scheme to invite proposals for applied research and development (R&D) projects jointly conducted by institutions in Hong Kong and the Mainland under three specific themes:
 
(i) Biotechnology: R&D of innovative drugs to treat chronic diseases;
 
(ii) Artificial Intelligence (AI): research on the security and privacy of AI systems, brain-inspired intelligence, smart healthcare (including medical robots), smart city; and
 
(iii) Sustainability engineering and technology: optoelectronic materials, third-generation semiconductor technologies, advanced green manufacturing, power management integrated circuits and modules.
 
     Applications will be accepted from today until June 28.
 
     Launched in 2019, the Scheme aims to support and encourage further R&D collaboration among universities, research institutes and technology enterprises in Hong Kong and the Mainland. Applications must be submitted simultaneously by the Hong Kong and Mainland institutions to the ITC and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) respectively, and the R&D work must be conducted in both places and involve co-operation between the two places. The ITC and MOST will provide funding to the Hong Kong and Mainland applicant organisations respectively, and will monitor project progress according to their own requirements.
 
     An ITC spokesman said, "The Scheme facilitates R&D collaboration between Hong Kong and the Mainland, thereby enhancing the R&D development in the two places. As at end-February 2024, 94 projects were approved under the Scheme, involving a funding amount of over $180 million."
 
     Further information is available on the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) website (www.itf.gov.hk/en/mhkjfs). For enquiries, please contact the ITF Secretariat (Tel: 3655 5678; email: enquiry@itf.gov.hk).