Press Releases

Disabled performing groups shine in annual talent show

        Three Mainland and overseas and six local disabled performing groups showed off their achievements in arts and cultural activities in the Jockey Club Arts for the Disabled Scheme tonight (December 5) in Kwai Tsing Theatre.

        Talented participants, despite their disabilities, shared with the audience their theatrical, musical and physical skill in their performances, which won them applause after every play or musical piece.

        Speaking at the opening ceremony of the annual performance, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, said the event's objective was to enable people to have a better understanding of the talents of people with disabilities and encouraging people with disabilities to actively take part in arts and cultural activities.

        "I wish to thank the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for donating $27.7 million to support this five-year pilot project which could benefit more than 40,000 people with disabilities," he said.

        Dr Chow pointed out that the scheme had provided basic training in arts for more than 250 people with disabilities and the School-based Art Project had been launched in more than 60 special schools and pre-school children training centres in the past year.

        Looking ahead, Dr Chow said the scheme would introduce many new items in the coming year, including scholarship, performing groups' subsidy scheme and instrumental music training programme to provide further support to the development of people with disabilities in the arts and cultural fields.

        Taking part in tonight's annual performance were three Mainland and overseas groups: China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe, Jineniyo Club from Japan and Joint Forces Dance Company and DanceAbility from the United States. Six local groups were Deaf and Dance of Hong Kong Association of the Deaf, Princess Alexandra Red Cross Residential School, Theatre of Silent, Dancing Heart Troupe of St James' Settlement, Happy Lutheran and 18 Districts' Integrated Choir.

        The Annual Performance 2004 of the Jockey Club Arts for the Disabled Scheme was jointly organised by the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau, Joint Council for the Physically and Mentally Disabled and Hong Kong Council of Social Service; and sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

Ends/Sunday, December 5, 2004

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