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Jockey Club support for 2014 Arts Festival ensures world-class performances

10/08/2013

With support from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the annual Hong Kong Arts Festival will bring over 130 world-class arts performances to Hong Kong in the coming February and March.  Today (8 October), the Club’s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So joined Hong Kong Arts Festival Society Chairman Ronald Arculli at a press conference to announce details of the 42nd Hong Kong Arts Festival 2014.

The Trust has supported the Festival for more than four decades, taking the initiative to enrich the cultural experiences of local audiences and foster the public’s appreciation of arts and culture.  To assist the Festival team in planning ahead and securing the participation of leading world-class artists and ensembles, the Trust introduced a new funding mode in 2008 whereby funds are approved three years in advance.  This arrangement provides an average of HK$7 million annually for the Festival to bring in three main pillar programmes for each year’s Festival. One performance of each programme is designated “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series”.

For 2014, the Series will feature La Scala Ballet performing Giselle, Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra in concert, and the Savonlinna Opera Festival performing Richard Wagner’s Lohengrin.

To encourage local students to enjoy top class artistic performances, the Trust also funds two complimentary student matinees.  Some 3,200 students will be able to enjoy free special performances of national dance by the Igor Moiseyev State Academic Ensemble of Popular Dance on 1 and 3 March.  Before enjoying the show, the students will have pre-performance briefings to give them basic knowledge of ballet technique and theatre etiquette, and enrich their understanding of the story and performing group involved.  The Club is also launching a transport subsidy scheme to help students from low-income families and remote districts participate in the matinee programme.

In addition, “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Contemporary Dance Series” is designed to promote local dance development by featuring five gifted choreographers presenting their innovative new dance works, set to music by local composers.  Students can learn more about contemporary dance through the Club-funded education programmes and outreach activities.  Details of the Hong Kong Arts Festival are available at http://www.hk.artsfestival.org/.

Apart from supporting the Arts Festival, the Trust partners the Leisure and Cultural Services Department to bring two to three stunning exhibitions under The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series to the public every year including “Legends of the Giant Dinosaurs” to be staged next month.  In addition, the Club has funded various projects to encourage people with disabilities to participate in arts and cultural programmes, such as the creation of an Inclusive Arts Studio and an Arts Accessibility Centre at the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world’s leading horse racing organisations, but also Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.95 billion in 2012/13. In addition, the Club is a major taxpayer, Hong Kong’s single largest by far, generating over HK$17.64 billion in 2012/13 for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.

The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (left) and HKAF Chairman Ronald Arculli (right).
The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (left) and HKAF Chairman Ronald Arculli (right).

The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (1st left), HKAF Executive Director Tisa Ho (2nd left) with The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholar and artist Colleen Lee (2nd right) and artist Wong Wai-yuen (1st right).
The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (1st left), HKAF Executive Director Tisa Ho (2nd left) with The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholar and artist Colleen Lee (2nd right) and artist Wong Wai-yuen (1st right).

The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (4th left), Head of Charities Projects Rhoda Chan (3rd left) and the dancers of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Contemporary Dance Series.
The Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (4th left), Head of Charities Projects Rhoda Chan (3rd left) and the dancers of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Contemporary Dance Series.

Photos 4/5:<br>
2014 a£į?The Hong Kong Jockey Club Seriesa£į? features: La Scala Ballet performing Giselle, IvA!n Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra in concert, and the Savonlinna Opera Festival performing Richard Wagnera£į?s Lohengrin.
Photos 4/5:
2014 a£į?The Hong Kong Jockey Club Seriesa£į? features: La Scala Ballet performing Giselle, IvA!n Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra in concert, and the Savonlinna Opera Festival performing Richard Wagnera£į?s Lohengrin.


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