The Leisure and Cultural Services Department held the International Ethnic Cultural Performances at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza this afternoon (November 13) to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The event showcased the artistry and cultures of different parts of the world through a variety of activities including ethnic stage performances, cultural masks displays and fringe activity booths. The programme received an enthusiastic response and attracted more than 22,000 participants.
​ Those officiating at today's opening ceremony included the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu; the Executive Manager, Charities (Sports and Culture) of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Ms Donna Tang; and representatives from Consulates-General of various countries. Various ethnic stage performances began after the conclusion of the opening ceremony, enabling the public to appreciate the passions of different ethnic groups through their stage shows.
In addition to traditional ethnic stage performances, different traditional cultural masks such as celebration and dance masks were displayed at the International Ethnic Cultural Performances, which carried a theme of "The Art of Masks" this year. The fringe activity booths around the Piazza including handicraft and costume displays, dance workshops and mask drawing also attracted a number of patrons to take part in enjoyable activities amid the fun-filled atmosphere.
The International Ethnic Cultural Performances programme was under the exclusive sponsorship of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), and was one of the many initiatives supported by the HKJC's approved donation of $630 million to the Government of the HKSAR to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, demonstrating that the HKJC is resolute in pursuing its purpose of acting continuously for the betterment of society, all in support of creating stronger communities together.
Twenty-three countries and regions participated in the event, namely Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.
In addition, three online programmes have also been produced, and they are being featured on the Community Programmes Office website at www.cpo.gov.hk/event/en-iecp-2022. The episode on traditional ethnic performances has been broadcast today and another one on masks will be broadcast on November 20, while the episode depicting the highlights of today's event will be broadcast on November 27.
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