Free Exhibition Celebrates 75 Years of China's Culture in Hong Kong's Greater Bay Area

ICHO to launch auspicious intangible cultural heritage of Greater Bay Area exhibition

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and to tie in with the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival as well as the "Cultured Bay Area, Brilliant ICH-2024 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Intangible Cultural Heritage Show", the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is staging the "Celebrating National Day - Auspicious Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Greater Bay Area" Exhibition at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum from today (October 19) to March 31 next year. Admission to the exhibition is free.

It is the first roving exhibition with the theme of ICH items in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Hong Kong is the first stop and the exhibition will be staged in Shenzhen and Macao later. Featuring auspicious animals that symbolise good fortune as the main theme, the exhibition showcases performing arts, traditional craftsmanship, festive events and other ICH items of the 11 GBA cities to visitors through interactive exhibits, graphic panels, video screenings and experiential activities.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the exhibition today, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, said that President Xi Jinping has emphasised the importance of promoting cultural confidence and strength by enhancing the preservation and transmission of cultural heritage on the report to the 20th National Congress to promote the fine traditional Chinese culture. The GBA cities, which are mainly of Lingnan culture, have rich regional characteristics and form their own unique culture. They own ICH items such as Cantonese opera and Canton music, which are important representatives of Chinese culture, giving a significant meaning in demonstrating and preserving the diversity and uniqueness of the fine traditional culture of the nation. Hong Kong, with its attributes of diversity, openness and a mix of Eastern and Western cultures, will develop into an East-meets-West platform for international cultural exchange as advocated in the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA for promoting traditional Chinese culture. Hong Kong will also collaborate with other GBA cities to jointly shape and enrich the sense of humanity and enhance the cultural identity and cohesion of the region.

Other officiating guests at the opening ceremony included the Secretary for Party Leadership Group and Director General of the Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, Ms Liu Lei; the Head of Department for Promoting Cultural and Creative Industries of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr Ho Hong-pan; the Deputy Director General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Li Shuguang; the Chairperson of the ICH Advisory Committee, Professor Ricardo Mak; the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Miss Eve Tam; the Director of the Division of ICH from the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province, Ms Wu Chen; the Functional Head of the Macao Museum, Ms Sio Kit-meng; and the Head of the ICH Office, Ms Joyce Ho.

The exhibition is divided into three parts. The "Bringing Fortune and Auspiciousness" exhibition area showcases paper crafting exhibits and interactive art installations with images of auspicious animals. It will also introduce the Representative Items of the National ICH such as the Hakka Unicorn Dance in Hang Hau, Sai Kung (Hong Kong), Lion Head Crafting (Foshan), Festival of the Drunken Dragon (Macao), Shatoujiao Fish Lantern Dance (Shenzhen) and Sanzao Crane Dance (Zhuhai) and other ICH items including the Conghua Cat-headed Lion Dance (Guangzhou), Rooster Dance (Zhaoqing), Huidong Lid-headed Lion Dance (Huizhou), Shengshi Phoenix Dance (Zhongshan), Qingxi Unicorn Dance (Dongguan) and Waihai Shenggong Carp (Jiangmen).

The "Assemble of Craftsmanship" area showcases ICH items of traditional craftsmanship in the GBA which are closely related to everyday life. They include the Cantonese Embroidery, Guangcai Making Technique and Paper Crafting Technique of Lanterns. These ICH items not only embody the craftsmanship of the bearers but also incorporate auspicious meanings and good wishes, manifesting the mutual promotion and transmission of craftsmanship and Chinese culture. The "Congregation of Art" area offers creative installations with ICH elements and a variety of demonstrations introducing the public to the diversity of ICH.　

　

The exhibition is presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the HKSAR, the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province and the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Government of the Macao Special Administration Region; organised by the LCSD, the Division of Intangible Cultural Heritage from the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province and the Macao Museum; curated by the ICH Office and the Culture, Media, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality. It is also supported by the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR. During the exhibition period, the ICH Office will organise an array of education and public programmes, including a variety of demonstrations and experiential activities, to introduce the diversity of ICH to members of public. Programmes are free of charge with on-site enrolment. For details of the exhibition and activities, please visit www.icho.hk/en/web/icho/auspicious_ich_of_the_greater_bay_area.html or call 2851 6134 for enquiries.

Hong Kong is the host city of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival for the first time this year. It is organising and co-ordinating over 260 performances and exchange activities to be held across the "9+2" cities of the GBA. The festival aims to showcase the vibrant and diverse cultural richness of the region, and foster cultural exchanges and co-operation among the cities. For detailed information about the rich programme line up of the festival, please visit www.gbacxlo.gov.hk.

The exhibition is also one of the activities in the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. The LCSD has long been promoting Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public to learn more about the broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ccpo/index.html.

ICHO to launch auspicious intangible cultural heritage of Greater Bay Area exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

ICHO to launch auspicious intangible cultural heritage of Greater Bay Area exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

ICHO to launch auspicious intangible cultural heritage of Greater Bay Area exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

ICHO to launch auspicious intangible cultural heritage of Greater Bay Area exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

ICHO to launch auspicious intangible cultural heritage of Greater Bay Area exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

ICHO to launch auspicious intangible cultural heritage of Greater Bay Area exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

ICHO to launch auspicious intangible cultural heritage of Greater Bay Area exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

ICHO to launch auspicious intangible cultural heritage of Greater Bay Area exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

ICHO to launch auspicious intangible cultural heritage of Greater Bay Area exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

ICHO to launch auspicious intangible cultural heritage of Greater Bay Area exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Special traffic arrangements for race meeting in Happy Valley

The Police will implement special traffic arrangements in Happy Valley today (January 14). These arrangements will remain in effect until the race meeting has concluded, spectators have dispersed, and traffic conditions return to normal.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

The following road closure and traffic diversions will be implemented from 50 minutes before the start of the first race for day racing, or from 6pm onwards for night racing:

1. Road closure

Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp outside the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed, except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

- Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside the HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;

- Traffic along eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;

- Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;

- Traffic along Queen's Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road, except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel;

- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and

- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

The following road closure and traffic diversions will be implemented from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

1. Road closure

- The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside the HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;

- Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;

- Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of the HKJC;

- Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and

- Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.

In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of the HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

- Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;

- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;

- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;

- Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;

- Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and

- Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Prohibition for learner drivers

Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

- Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;

- Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;

- Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;

- Canal Road East; and

- The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm for day racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm for night racing respectively.

All vehicles parked illegally during the implementation of the above special traffic arrangements will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing.

Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of police officers on site.

Source: AI-found images