SCST: Groundbreaking Ceremony of Villa Haw Par Marks New Era for Cultural Landmark in Hong Kong

Speech by SCST at groundbreaking ceremony of Villa Haw Par

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the groundbreaking ceremony of Villa Haw Par today (June 1):

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, Photo source: reference image

Consul General Christile Drulhe (Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau), Mr Arthur de Villepin (Founder and CEO of Villepin Group), Ms Sara Mao (Executive Director of Villa Haw Par), Mr Kenneth Fok (Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is my great pleasure to join you at the groundbreaking ceremony of Villa Haw Par. Today marks a truly significant milestone: the transformation of the historic Haw Par Mansion from a static monument into a living, dynamic cultural landmark in Hong Kong.

Built in 1935 by the visionary merchant Mr Aw Boon Haw, more familiarly known to us as Mr and even more widely known as "the King of Tiger Balm", Haw Par Mansion is a one-of-a-kind example of Hong Kong's unique identity - a place where East truly meets West. Its Chinese Renaissance architecture masterfully blends Eastern and Western theories and construction methods. In recognition of its vibrant historical and architectural significance, the Mansion was classified as a Grade I historic building in 2009 - solidifying its role as a precious jewel in Hong Kong's cultural heritage.

Many of you will remember that before the adjacent Tiger Balm Garden was demolished, it was open to the public free of charge. For decades, Haw Par Mansion and its iconic garden held a special place in the hearts of generations of Hong Kong residents. They are a repository of collective memories, a symbol of family outings, and a testament to our city's early arts and cultural development.

Preserving our rich cultural heritage while adapting it for modern community use is a core priority for the Government. We saw immense potential in revitalising Haw Par Mansion for arts and cultural purposes. Given its unique background and character, we believe this revitalisation should not merely be about conserving bricks and mortar - it is more about breathing new life into a legendary landmark.

Following an open and fair selection process, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau engaged the Foundation for Art and Culture (FAC) last year to operate Haw Par Mansion on a non-profit, self-financing basis for arts and cultural use. The project echoes our policy direction of developing Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. We attach great importance to it, with high hopes that it will contribute significantly to realising that vision. Under the FAC, the Mansion has been given a new name - Villa Haw Par - most fitting to its renewed role as an icon of international arts and cultural exchange in Hong Kong. I understand that the FAC has been working diligently over the past few months to build local and international foundations and connections for this project, achieving notable results - including a long-term partnership with the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macao, and active participation in international networks of cultural residencies and villas. These efforts strengthen Villa Haw Par's role as a platform for dialogue between Hong Kong and the world.

Once the revitalisation is completed, Villa Haw Par will become a dynamic hub for cultural exchange. It will feature diverse arts and cultural programmes - exhibitions, film screenings, performances, workshops and artist residency collaborations with local and international artists. Beyond these conventional uses, I am confident that the FAC will utilise its talent, expertise and connections to unleash the site's full potential and turn it into an even more creative site. Imagine Villa Haw Par serving as a satellite event venue for Art Month, adding new flavour to Hong Kong's many arts and cultural offerings, or once again as a must-visit destination for tourists to experience Hong Kong's history firsthand. With the strong international connections already built for this project, I also hope that Villa Haw Par will act as an inspiring incubator and platform for our local creative talents to showcase their work to the world.

I am sure you all agree with me that Villa Haw Par is a major project - one that requires sustained and substantial efforts. A project of this scale cannot happen in isolation; it needs strong partnerships between the Government, the non-profit sector and the private sector. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude to the FAC, to the project partners, and to all community stakeholders - especially the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macao. Your support and dedication to the Villa Haw Par project have brought us to this momentous milestone. I would also like to appeal to all friends here today for your active participation and continuous support for this meaningful project.

Ladies and gentlemen, we break ground today to build a vital bridge - connecting our glorious past with a creative, forward-looking future. I am incredibly excited to see this landmark restored to its full glory, and I look forward to visiting the new Villa Haw Par very soon. Thank you very much.

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, Photo source: reference image

Employers and employees should make reasonable work arrangements after tropical cyclones or rainstorms

The Labour Department (LD) today (June 8) reminded employers to make practical and reasonable work arrangements for employees after the cancellation of tropical cyclone warnings or rainstorm warnings, with due consideration to the road and traffic conditions and other factors, and make flexible arrangements for staff to resume work or work remotely (if applicable). This will help maintain good labour-management relations, and ensure the safety of employees as well as the smooth operation of organisations.

"For staff who have genuine difficulties in resuming work on time upon cancellation of a tropical cyclone or rainstorm warning, employers should be sympathetic and handle each case flexibly. For example, employers may allow employees to resume work in stages, permit employees who have difficulties in returning to workplaces to work remotely (if applicable) or allow more time for them to report for duty and resume work," an LD spokesman said.

The spokesman reminded employers to observe the statutory liabilities and requirements under the Employment Ordinance, Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance, Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance, Employees' Compensation Ordinance and Minimum Wage Ordinance.

"As natural calamities cannot be avoided, for employees who are not able to report for duty or resume duty on time due to adverse weather or extreme conditions, employers should neither deduct their wages, good attendance bonus or allowances, nor reduce employees' entitlement to annual leave, statutory holidays or rest days under the Employment Ordinance, or ask for additional hours of work from employees to compensate for the loss of working hours when they are unable to report for duty," the spokesman said.

Employers should note that they have an obligation to provide and maintain a safe working environment for their employees under the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance. Moreover, under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, employers are liable to pay compensation for injuries or deaths incurred when employees are travelling by a direct route from their residence to their workplace, or from their workplace back to their residence after work, four hours before or after working hours on a day when Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or higher, a Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signal or extreme conditions are in force.

The LD has published the "Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and 'Extreme Conditions'", which provides the major principles, reference guidelines and information on relevant legislation on making work arrangements for the reference of employers and employees. The booklet can be obtained from branch offices of the Labour Relations Division or downloaded from the department's webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/wcp/Rainstorm.pdf).

Source: AI-found images