Flamenco superstar Sara Baras to present Asian premiere of "Vuela" in Hong Kong in December
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has invited the world-renowned Spanish flamenco diva, Sara Baras, to visit Hong Kong and bring her company's latest production "Vuela" for its Asian premiere in December, marking Baras's first return to the city since 2015. The performance will, no doubt, deliver an unforgettable celebration of flamenco dance and music.
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Flamenco superstar Sara Baras to present Asian premiere of "Vuela" in Hong Kong in December Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Flamenco superstar Sara Baras to present Asian premiere of "Vuela" in Hong Kong in December Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Flamenco superstar Sara Baras to present Asian premiere of "Vuela" in Hong Kong in December Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Flamenco superstar Sara Baras to present Asian premiere of "Vuela" in Hong Kong in December Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Vuela" is a production created for celebrating the 25th anniversary of Baras's own dance company, Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras. She took the occasion to pay tribute to the Spanish guitar virtuoso and composer Paco de Lucía (1947 to 2014), who left a revolutionary influence on flamenco music with his work. "Vuela" (which means "fly" in English) was conceived from the respect, passion and love both artists shared. Since its premiere early this year in Spain, "Vuela" has toured Europe to critical acclaim.
The choreographic journey of "Vuela" is composed of 15 unique pieces within four acts, where each of them revolves around a specific word, thus creating flamenco language in motion with a strong narrative: "madera" (wood) which reminds oneself of the strength of roots, the warmth of being; "mar" (sea) which invites oneself to navigate in passion and be like water; "muerte" (death) is a way to explore human emotions from the deepest depths; "volar" (to fly) is the only way to escape without running, simply letting oneself be carried away by celebration and joy, an opportunity that only music, dance, and feelings can offer oneself.
Celebrated for her lightning-fast footwork, intricate movements of choreography and captivating stage presence, Baras is the foremost exponent of flamenco dance and one of the most prestigious and recognised Spanish representatives in the performing arts international scene. She was hailed by the online music magazine "Bachtrack" as "a superstar who transcends genres". Baras established Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras in 1998, and has since choreographed 17 productions. Over the years, she has won multiple awards and has been featured in an array of films.
"Vuela" by Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras will be held at 7.45pm on December 6 and 7 (Friday and Saturday) at the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets priced at $260, $360, $460, $560 and $660 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/dance/programs_1791.html.
A number of extension activities will be organised for this programme. A flamenco guitar recital will be held at 2.15pm on December 7 (Saturday) at the Lecture Hall of Sheung Wan Civic Centre. Keko Baldomero, music director and guitarist of the company, accompanied by May Fernández (vocal) and Rafael Moreno (percussion), will offer audiences a captivating journey of flamenco music. Tickets priced at $250 are now available at URBTIX. For details, please refer to the above-mentioned website.
The programme will also feature two flamenco dance workshops (conducted in Spanish with English interpretation) at the Podium Workshop of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre for beginners and advanced dancers respectively, where participants will experience a taste of the passion and rhythm of flamenco dance guided by a company dancer. The workshop for beginners (suitable for those aged 16 or above with some dance experience) will be held at 11am on December 7 (Saturday), while the one for advanced dancers (suitable for those aged 16 or above with flamenco dance training) will be held at 11am on December 8 (Sunday). Tickets priced at $200 are now available at URBTIX. For details, please refer to the above-mentioned website.
Discount schemes are available for the programme, including a group booking discount as well as package discounts for performance and guitar recital or dance workshops. An early-bird discount will be offered from now until November 7 (Thursday) for purchasing the tickets through any of the discount schemes. For enquiries about concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7323 or visit the above-mentioned website. This programme is one of the celebratory programmes of the 35th anniversary of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
Flamenco superstar Sara Baras to present Asian premiere of "Vuela" in Hong Kong in December Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Flamenco superstar Sara Baras to present Asian premiere of "Vuela" in Hong Kong in December Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Flamenco superstar Sara Baras to present Asian premiere of "Vuela" in Hong Kong in December Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Flamenco superstar Sara Baras to present Asian premiere of "Vuela" in Hong Kong in December Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CFS to follow up certain batches of powdered infant and young children formula with possible presence of Cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (January 10) said that, it took initiative to meet with Nestlé Hong Kong again today, and confirmed the company's today announcement of an additional batch of powdered infant and young children formula suspected to have possibly used the raw material concerned. Nestlé Hong Kong has voluntarily stopped sales, removed from shelves the affected products and has initiated a precautionary recall. The CFS has collected samples of powdered infant and young children formula from the market for Bacillus cereus testing, the test results so far were satisfactory. The Environmental and Ecology Bureau is also closely monitoring the supply situation of other formula milk powder and maintaining communication with other major suppliers. It is noted that there is sufficient formula milk powder to meet the demand.
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Photo source: reference image
The spokesman said, the CFS has been actively following up on Nestlé company's voluntary and precautionary recalls of certain batches of its powdered infant and young children formula in certain areas in Europe due to possible presence of Cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus in the individual raw material. According to the latest information from Nestlé Hong Kong today, an additional batch of its powdered infant and young children formula imported into Hong Kong might have used the raw material concerned. The CFS had earlier enhanced surveillance in the market and collected a sample from the above batch for testing of Bacillus cereus. The test result of the sample was satisfactory. Nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, Nestlé Hong Kong has voluntarily stopped sales, removed from shelves the affected products and has initiated a precautionary recall.
Product details are as follows:
Product name (Net weight): NAN PRO 1 2 HMO (800g)
Batch number: 51670742F2
Best-before date: June 16, 2027
Place of Origin: Germany
"The CFS met Nestlé Hong Kong again today, urging them to properly handle the product recall issue and respond to public enquiries, in order to safeguard consumers' legitimate rights and interests. In addition, the CFS and Nestlé Hong Kong have jointly followed up, six suspected affected batches of infant and young children formula products that had not entered the market were marked and sealed. An additional 15 batches are currently en route to Hong Kong and will also be marked and sealed upon arrival. The CFS will continue to closely monitor the recall matters and remain fully committed to ensuring food safety, " the spokesman said.
Nestlé Hong Kong has initiated a recall of the affected batches of the products concerned. For enquiries about the recall, members of the public may contact the company through the following channels:
Consumer services hotline: 2599 8874 / 2797 6031/ 2179 8136 (Monday to Sunday, 9am to 9pm)
Email: consumerservices@hk.nestle.com
WhatsApp: 5283 4139 (NESTLÉ® NAN®) / 2599 8871 (Wyeth® Nutrition)
Online form: forms.office.com/e/BhqMhWfsUG?origin=lprLink
Consumers may choose to bring along the products (brand new or opened) for refund at place of purchase, or at exclusive service counters of Nestlé Nutrition Services from January 13 (Tuesday) onwards, to settle the recall and refund of the batches of the products concerned. Details of the exclusive service counters are as follows:
Kowloon Services Counter
Address: G/F, Park Hovan Commercial Building, 18 Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (MTR Jordon Station Exit D)
Contact number: 3996 8196
Office hour: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 7.30pm; Sunday, 1pm to 5.30pm (except public holidays)
Hong Kong Services Counter
Address: 1/F, Ka Nin Wah Commercial Building, 423-425 Hennessy Road, Hong Kong (MTR Causeway Bay Station Exit B)
Contact number: 3996 8197
Office hour: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 7.30pm (except Sundays and public holidays)
The CFS, through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted earlier that certain batches of Nestlé powdered infant formula were being voluntarily recalled in Europe due to possible contamination with Bacillus cereus. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS has immediately initiated follow up actions, published food incident posts to inform the public and the trade about the issue, and has been actively following up on the incident and enhanced surveillance.
Over the past three days (as of 4pm on January 9), the FEHD received a total of 18 food complaints and enquiries suspected to be related to the infant and young children formula products, including one anonymous complaint without contact information. The CFS and the Environmental Hygiene Branch have promptly followed up on all cases, including contacting the parties concerned to obtain details and collecting samples for testing. In addition, the CFS has referred the cases to the health department for follow-up. At present, no food poisoning cases related to the formula have been recorded.
Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. Unhygienic conditions in food processing and storage may give rise to its growth. Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin produced in food by some strains of Bacillus cereus. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus or its heat-stable toxins may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea.
The spokesman urged members of the public not to let infants and young children consume the affected batches of the products, and to seek medical treatment for infants or young children who felt unwell after taking the products concerned. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batches of the products immediately.
"The CFS continues to closely monitor the developments of the situation, follow up and take appropriate action," the spokesman said.
The infant formula of Nestlé, Photo source: online image
