Developing Young Talents

Developing Young Talents

Hong Kong Festival – 24th July 2012

The annual Hong Kong Festival is proudly put together by a group of talented under-30 years old, young Hong Kong Chinese New Zealanders for the fourth year, with the support of the Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association, which will opens on 30 July 2012.

Proud winner of the Best Initiative Awards for two years, the Hong Kong Festival was conceived in 2009 by Past President, Eva Ho, to “bring Hong Kong, my hometown, to New Zealand.”

Historical Relationships

Hong Kong Festival and youth is not new. One of Hong Kong’s Governors, Sir Murray MacLehose, hosted 3 Festival of Hong Kong, in the 1969, 1971 and 1973. The Festivals were a response to Hong Kong 1967 Leftist Riots, and the government’s needs to enhance Hong Kong’s youth sense of belonging and allow them to celebrate their own place as Hong Konger.

By 1960s, there are already 4 million people living in Hong Kong. It was suggested, post the 1967 riot, that youth events help young people use their energy into something useful instead of creating riots. By 1968, Hong Kong Government put together a committee to organize a week-long leisure activities, and HKD$4million (approximately NZD$500,000) was spent on the Festival of Hong Kong, with over 800,000 people attended the 500 events

Fostering young talents

“Developing Young Talents” is the theme this year and it is done through engaging and interacting with a multi-faceted network and roles. Raymond Suen, a volunteer since 2009 and the Festival Director since 2010, says “the Festival gives them a rare opportunity in being exposed to the different culture and audience. You can see this theme throughout the Festival, from the Festival Opening and Concert, to workshops and our popular Cinema Hong Kong”

“The Festival is made up with a diverse group of people that make things happened, regardless of how crazy it may seem,” says Michelle Lo, William Leung, Jordan Hui and Josephine Zheng. “And it gave us an opportunity to learn new skills to further our career,” says Emily Chu.

Sense of pride and belonging

The Festival also helps foster a sense of pride for the young Hong Kong Chinese. “This fits very well with why the Hong Kong Festival was conceived in the first place,” says Bevan Chuang, Sponsorship Director and volunteered since 2010.

“My parents are from Hong Kong so I was interested in getting in touch with more Hong Kong culture,” says Stephanie Chan. “There has been growing recognition of Chinese culture and I feel that we can show
Kiwis some of the uniqueness that Hong Kong brings to the table.” “The Festival gave everyone a chance to experience different aspects of Hong Kong,” Reneé Lam echoes.

Facilitate and promote innovation

Come and support our work in Developing Young Talents, a theme which you will see throughout our various activities, begins with the celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Hong Kong Festival 2012 will be launched on 30 July 2012. For further information visit http://www.hkfestival.org.nz.

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