HKETO Berlin Supports HKCO Concert in Wrocaw, Celebrating Cultural Exchange with Polish Musicians

HKETO Berlin supports concert by Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra in Poland

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin (HKETO Berlin) supported the concert by Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO) held in Wrocaw, Poland, on July 10 (Wrocaw time).

The concert was performed by the HKCO and Polish Cello Quartet, one of Poland's most dynamic chamber ensembles. The quartet visited Hong Kong last September and delivered a spectacular performance with the HKCO. The musicians from both places have now reunited in Wrocaw to continue their musical exchange. This European tour by the HKCO was funded by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau.

The concert opened with the string quintet "Queen Wang Zhaojun", followed by two commissioned works jointly performed by musicians of the HKCO and the Polish Cello Quartet. The performance showcased a vibrant dialogue between Eastern and Western musical traditions, culminating in a finale jointly performed by Hong Kong and Polish musicians, celebrating the creator of Chinese characters and the origins of Chinese civilisation.

The Acting Director of the HKETO Berlin, Mr Billy Leung, highlighted Hong Kong's important role as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. He said, "Hong Kong is a premier bridge between East and West. We are delighted to bring one of Asia's foremost orchestra and its musical talents to European audiences through exchanges with Polish performance groups. With its world-class cultural infrastructure and strong global connectivity, Hong Kong is also the perfect place to promote cross-cultural dialogue and share fine Chinese musical traditions with the world."

In addition to the concert, the HKCO co-organised a workshop with the National Forum of Music in Wrocaw on July 9 (Wrocaw time), engaging with local music professionals and audiences.

About HKETO Berlin

The HKETO Berlin is the official representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Germany as well as Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin supported the concert by Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO) held in Wrocław, Poland, on July 10 (Wrocław time). Photo shows the HKCO performing on stage with the Polish Cello Quartet. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin supported the tour of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO) to Wroclaw, Poland. Photo shows the HKCO conducting a workshop in Wroclaw, Poland on July 9 (Wroclaw time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin (HKETO Berlin) supported the concert by Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO) held in Wrocław, Poland, on July 10 (Wrocław time). Photo shows the Acting Director of the HKETO Berlin, Mr Billy Leung (fourth right), and members of the HKCO and the Polish Cello Quartet. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Employer sanctioned for violating requirements of local recruitment under Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme

The Labour Department (LD) today (August 10) announced the imposition of an administrative sanction on Waso Cafe (PE) Limited. With immediate effect, the LD has terminated the processing of the application previously submitted by the company under the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS). In parallel, the LD will, from today, refuse to process any applications for importing labour under the ESLS submitted by the above company for a period of one year.

"After investigation, the LD established that the above company had breached the requirements under the ESLS during the local recruitment exercise by providing false information to the LD while applying for the importation of waiters/waitresses, junior cooks and dish washers. An administrative sanction is thus imposed," a spokesman for the LD said.

The spokesman stressed, "Employers applying for the importation of workers under the ESLS should strictly comply with the scheme requirements, including according priority to employing suitable local workers. The ESLS stipulates that if an employer violates labour or immigration laws, the requirements of the ESLS, or the Standard Employment Contract, the LD will impose an administrative sanction on the employer. Such sanctions may include terminating the processing of submitted applications of the employer, withdrawing approvals for the importation of workers previously granted, and refusing to process any subsequent applications submitted by the employer."

The Labour Department, Photo source: reference image