Kuk Po Launches Countryside Harvest Festival: A Fusion of Sound, Sight, and Taste in Conservation Efforts

Opening ceremony for Countryside Harvest Festival: Kuk Po "Sound, Sight, Taste Fusion" Tour held today

The Countryside Conservation Office (CCO) under the Environment and Ecology Bureau held the opening ceremony for the Countryside Harvest Festival: Kuk Po "Sound, Sight, Taste Fusion" Tour today (January 18) at Kuk Po in Sha Tau Kok.

Delivering his speech at the ceremony, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, emphasised the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's commitment to promoting countryside conservation with a view to revitalising villages and conserving ecological and cultural resources. Based on the achievements of countryside conservation in the past, the Countryside Harvest Festival combines the three major elements of "Sound, Sight and Fusion" for the first time, using music, art and traditional cuisine as the media to connect natural ecology, historical buildings and countryside culture. He hopes that the event can promote a new in-depth eco-tour experience, enhance public awareness of nature conservation, foster urban-rural symbiosis, invigorate the local economy, and build a sustainable future.

Kuk Po, located in the northeastern New Territories in Sha Tau Kok, is a Hakka village with over 300 years of history, known for its picturesque scenery and rich biodiversity. The Countryside Harvest Festival: Kuk Po "Sound, Sight, Taste Fusion" Tour is the first event in Kuk Po to combine village cultural elements, music performances, art exhibitions, and traditional cuisine. Collaborating with local and international artists, the festival features art installations, photography exhibitions, music performances, the Good Day market, and a variety of countryside experiences, providing participants with a unique and in-depth urban-rural travel experience.

Other officiating guests at the opening ceremony included the Chairman of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Environmental Affairs, Mr Lau Kwok-fan; LegCo Member Mr Yiu Pak-leung; North District Council member Mr Ko Wai-kei; the Chairman of Sha Tau Kok Rural Committee, Mr Lee Koon-hung; Assistant Commissioner for Tourism Mr Henry Lai, and the District Officer (North), Mr Derek Lai.

The event will be held over two weekends, today and tomorrow (January 18 and 19) and January 25 and 26, with activities running from noon to 7pm. Admission is free. On these dates with activities, the CCO will provide complimentary ferry services at scheduled times to transport visitors between Sha Tau Kok and Kuk Po, with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, the art exhibitions will run from today until February 16. For more details about the event, please visit the official website at kukpofestival.hk.

Opening ceremony for Countryside Harvest Festival: Kuk Po "Sound, Sight, Taste Fusion" Tour held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Opening ceremony for Countryside Harvest Festival: Kuk Po "Sound, Sight, Taste Fusion" Tour held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Opening ceremony for Countryside Harvest Festival: Kuk Po "Sound, Sight, Taste Fusion" Tour held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Opening ceremony for Countryside Harvest Festival: Kuk Po "Sound, Sight, Taste Fusion" Tour held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Police launch interactive theatre against "space oil drug" to promote anti-drug messages among upper primary students

The Hong Kong Police Force staged its new play, "Interactive Anti-Drug Theatre - A Space Study Adventure", at an experience session today (March 25), to deliver anti-drug messages to over 200 principals, teachers and upper primary students, aiming to safeguard schools from the emerging "space oil drug".

Speaking at the session, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, pointed out that 31 students were arrested for serious drug offences last year, with the youngest arrestee involved in the "space oil drug" being 12 years old. He noted that although the number of arrests was the lowest since 2021, one juvenile drug case is still far too many. While law enforcement efforts are being stepped up, it is important to pass on the anti-drug culture through education and to "start from a young age with continuous and concerted efforts".

Mr Siu added that the Police Narcotics Bureau (NB) has organised the "Interactive Anti-Drug Theatre" for the third consecutive year. Over the past two years, anti-drug messages have been disseminated to more than 13500 primary students in nearly 100 school performances. He described the interactive engagement of the student audience as one of the best parts of the theatre, demonstrating the passing on of the anti-drug culture.

Before the performance, a representative from the anti-drug service unit of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups' Youth Crime Prevention Centre shared insights into the serious consequences of using the "space oil drug", cautioning students about its far-reaching harm while urging them to adopt a firm stance: "Drugs? Never, Ever!".

Representatives of school sponsoring bodies, principals, teachers and students from over 60 primary schools attended today's event. The actors in the play took the audience on a study trip, during which they resisted the temptation of drugs. Through interactive questions designed to inspire critical thinking, students gained a thorough understanding of the harmful effects caused by drug abuse, and became more vigilant against the "space oil drug".

As the NB's first flagship publicity campaign for this year on the "space oil drug", the "Interactive Anti-Drug Theatre – A Space Study Adventure" will be staged in primary schools starting this month. Schools interested in learning more and arranging a performance can contact the NB by email (ip-sip-int-1e-nb@police.gov.hk).

Police launch interactive theatre against "space oil drug" to promote anti-drug messages among upper primary students Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Police launch interactive theatre against "space oil drug" to promote anti-drug messages among upper primary students Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Police launch interactive theatre against "space oil drug" to promote anti-drug messages among upper primary students Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases