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Boundaries Multi-Cultural Exchange
A Multi-Cultural Exchange and Fun-Fair Show was held last Sunday, 19 January, at the Stanley Plaza featuring various presentations from Hong Kong's ethnic communities. With the theme "No Boundaries", the show aimed to promote cultural awareness and racial harmony in Hong Kong. Constituting the largest ethnic group in Hong Kong, the Filipino community was accorded preferential attention by the organizers of the event. In a keynote speech delivered for her by Vice Consul Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo, Consul General Victoria S. Bataclan affirmed the importance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening bilateral relations with Hong Kong and noted that the Philippines is about to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation with the Hong Kong Government. Tolerance and respect being key elements of racial harmony, Consul General Bataclan observed that barriers brought about by ignorance could be dismantled by a greater knowledge of cultures of various ethnic communities. She also stressed that culture is a true equalizer since all ethnic groups of whatever color, creed or social standing, possesses a culture. In closing, the Consul General congratulated the organizers for celebrating the richness of the cultures of Hong Kong's multi-ethnic society. The Philippines dominated the show with three performances highlighting Filipino dance and talents. The Lakeside Session Band, composed mostly of Filipino musicians, opened the show with modern tunes. The Bukidnon Overseas Contract Workers Association performed the Kaamulan, a native thanksgiving dance while non-Filipino students of the Umah International Primary School treated audiences to a unique performance of the popular Philippine folk dance called Maglalatik. Other featured presentations came from the Afro-Carribean Dance Workshop, the Hong Kong Japanese Drum and Music Teams, the Rhythm Dance Workshop which performed a Xinjiang dance, the Sahaja Yoga Hong Kong and the Warehouse Teenage Club Limited. Program sidelights included workshops on Japanese ikebana and Indian mehndi as well as a Turkish coffee booth. The Multi-Cultural Exchange and Fun-Fair Show was organized by the Warehouse Teenage Club Limited and the City University of Hong Kong under the sponsorship of the Home Affairs Bureau.
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