Mulan Dance Drama Showcases Chinese Heritage - Grand Theatre Performance September 14-15 - Get Your Tickets Now!

Award-winning grand dance drama "Mulan" to be staged at Hong Kong's inaugural Chinese Culture Festival in September

The inaugural Chinese Culture Festival (CCF), organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will present the dance drama "Mulan" by Ningbo Performance & Arts Group, which is a winning production of the Lotus Award, China's highest award for dance in mid-September. With an ingenious blend of dance, martial arts and theatre elements together with exquisite modern stage technology, the dance drama reshapes the story of well-known legendary heroine Hua Mulan, and celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival with Hong Kong audiences with a symbol of reunion. This is one of the programmes of the "Chinese Performing Arts Hong Kong Season" Series, and is also a celebratory programme of the 35th anniversary of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

The storyline of dance drama "Mulan" focuses on the virtues of filial piety, loyalty and love, highlighting the love for the homeland and the glory of humanity. It tells the story of how young and beautiful Hua Mulan embarks on a heroine's journey in the Northern Wei dynasty. From disguising herself as a man to take her father's place in the army, fulfilling her missions, pursuing love, and ultimately returning to peace and freedom, Mulan sets off on a journey of self-discovery and self-identity.

The programme consists of 21 scenes, including the delicate "Serenade" and "Brass Mirror", as well as the grandiose "To the Battlefield" and "The Last Battle". The blend of the dance and martial arts is one of the main features of this programme, in which forms of martial arts movements are reconstructed through modern dance techniques, and the richness of the characters' emotions and tension are illustrated through their vigorous body movements on stage. Meanwhile, "circle" is an important symbol throughout the story narration and stage design. Apart from symbolising reunion and perfection, the revolving circular stage also breaks the limitations of time and space to create more scenes and possibilities for the stage setting. The music of the work is a contemporary arrangement of traditional Chinese folk tunes, blended with a variety of styles and types of musical instruments. Together with the heart-rending interpretation by the dancers, the production interprets the rich heritage of a traditional Chinese story with innovative dance vocabulary and stage aesthetics of the new era.

The dance drama "Mulan" is directed by Zhou Liya and Han Zhen, known as the "twin stars" of the dance scene on the Mainland. It is starred by Hao Ruoqi (as Mulan), one of the highly sought-after young dancers on the Mainland and a Gold Award winner of the Lotus Award, and Xia Tian (as General Wei), the principal dancer of Ningbo Song and Dance Theater. Since its premiere in 2017, the dance drama has been performed over a hundred times in different Mainland provinces and cities. It won the 11th China Dance Lotus Award for Dance Drama and the Orchid Award of the 14th Zhejiang Provincial Drama Festival, and was invited to participate in the 20th China Shanghai International Arts Festival and the 50th Festival Internacional Cervantino in Mexico. Last year, the production toured the United States and won critical acclaim.

Ningbo Performance & Arts Group is the only municipal state-owned performing arts troupe in Ningbo. It has produced approximately 90 repertories, such as dance dramas "Mulan", "Xian Xinghai" and "The Great Harbour in the East". Its productions have been awarded the China Dance Lotus Awards, and were selected to be funded by the China National Arts Fund. The group's performances have been staged on the Mainland and overseas such as France, the United States and Germany, presenting Ningbo's splendid and long-lasting regional culture to audiences at home and abroad.

City Under the Moon - Dance Drama: "Mulan" by Ningbo Performance & Arts Group will be held at 7.30pm on September 14 (Saturday) and at 2.30pm on September 15 (Sunday) at the Grand Theatre of Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets priced at $200, $260, $340 and $420 are available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) and the Xiqu Centre Ticket Office, West Kowloon Cultural District. For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.ccf.gov.hk/en/programme/city-under-the-moon-%e2%94%80-dance-drama-mulan/.

"Mulan" will also feature a session under the "Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series". An open rehearsal of the dance drama will be held at 2.15pm on September 13 at the Grand Theatre of Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Local primary and secondary school students have been invited to join for free so as to encourage them to participate in cultural activities and experience the wonders of Chinese culture and arts.

The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the LCSD's Chinese Culture Promotion Office, aims to enhance the public's appreciation of Chinese culture and cultivate citizens' national identity and cultural confidence. The inaugural CCF is held from June to September. Through different performing arts programmes in various forms and related extension activities, including selected programmes of the Chinese Opera Festival, exemplary local arts projects recognised by the China National Arts Fund, performing arts programmes from arts and cultural organisations, film screenings, exhibitions, talks and more, the festival allows members of the public and visitors to experience the broad and profound Chinese culture with a view to promoting Chinese culture and patriotic education as well as enhancing national identity among the people of Hong Kong, making contributions to the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems". For details, please visit the CCF websitewww.ccf.gov.hk.

The LCSD has long been promoting Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public to learn more about the broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visitwww.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ccpo/index.html.

Award-winning grand dance drama "Mulan" to be staged at Hong Kong's inaugural Chinese Culture Festival in September Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Award-winning grand dance drama "Mulan" to be staged at Hong Kong's inaugural Chinese Culture Festival in September Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Award-winning grand dance drama "Mulan" to be staged at Hong Kong's inaugural Chinese Culture Festival in September Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Award-winning grand dance drama "Mulan" to be staged at Hong Kong's inaugural Chinese Culture Festival in September Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Award-winning grand dance drama "Mulan" to be staged at Hong Kong's inaugural Chinese Culture Festival in September Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Award-winning grand dance drama "Mulan" to be staged at Hong Kong's inaugural Chinese Culture Festival in September Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Award-winning grand dance drama "Mulan" to be staged at Hong Kong's inaugural Chinese Culture Festival in September Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Award-winning grand dance drama "Mulan" to be staged at Hong Kong's inaugural Chinese Culture Festival in September Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Award-winning grand dance drama "Mulan" to be staged at Hong Kong's inaugural Chinese Culture Festival in September Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government strongly condemns US Congress for slandering laws on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong and smearing Hong Kong human rights situation

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (September 11) strongly condemned the United States (US) House of Representatives for making use of the so-called Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Certification Act to slander laws on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong and smear the human rights situation in Hong Kong. The US House of Representatives' fact-twisting attack on Hong Kong is politically driven, violates international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and grossly interferes in the affairs of Hong Kong. The HKSAR refutes this action resolutely and condemns it strongly.

The so-called Act is a self-deception of double standards. Despite the US having the most stringent national security legislation, the Act maliciously slanders against the just and legitimate objective of the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO), disregards the constitutional obligation and inherent rights of the HKSAR to safeguard national security, smears the fact that human rights and the rule of law are properly protected in accordance with the law by the HKSAR Government, and grossly interferes in the affairs of Hong Kong. Such a political manoeuvre not only maliciously attacks the work of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (ETOs) in the US on promoting normal economic and trade relations and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and the US, but further advocates for their closure, severely damaging the normal economic and trade relations. The HKSAR refutes this action resolutely and condemns it strongly.

The HKSAR Government has been establishing and maintaining economic and trade relations with places around the world in accordance with the "one country, two systems" principle and has, pursuant to Article 156 of the Basic Law and legislation of the host countries, set up 14 overseas ETOs as the official representatives of the HKSAR, including the three ETOs established in the US.

In their respective jurisdictions, the ETOs in Washington, DC, New York and San Francisco have been operating in accordance with local legislation and maintaining close liaison with interlocutors in government, business, think tanks and various sectors to enrich ties between Hong Kong and the US in different areas such as trade, investment, and arts and culture. The smooth operation of the three ETOs in the US contributes to strengthening co-operation between Hong Kong and the US in different areas, and is mutually beneficial to both places.

In fact, the US enjoys significant economic benefits in Hong Kong. The US has realised a trade surplus of US$271.5 billion with Hong Kong during the past 10 years, the largest among its global trading partners, and more than 1 200 US companies have set up businesses in Hong Kong. If the US insists on undermining the mutually beneficial relations between Hong Kong and the US through the so-called Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Certification Act, it will ultimately harm the interests of the US and its companies.

The three ETOs of the HKSAR in the US will continue to promote Hong Kong's unique advantages, tell the good stories of Hong Kong and, where necessary, refute erroneous reports and clarify misconceptions without fear or favour, so as to foster economic and trade relations and co-operation on different fronts between Hong Kong and the US on a mutually beneficial basis.

The HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. The enactment of the NSL and the SNSO aims to, among others, improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, as well as maintain the prosperity and stability of the HKSAR. The HKSAR Government will continue to resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the NSL and the SNSO to prevent, suppress and punish in accordance with the law, acts and activities that endanger national security.

The HKSAR Government firmly safeguards the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents protected by law. Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, human rights of Hong Kong residents have been firmly protected by the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the Basic Law. Hong Kong residents enjoy the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance and other relevant laws. The NSL clearly stipulates that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, and that the rights and freedoms, which Hong Kong residents enjoy under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, including freedom of speech, press, publication, association, and assembly, shall be protected in accordance with the law.

Law enforcement actions taken by HKSAR law enforcement agencies, including those taken under the NSL, the SNSO and other Hong Kong laws, are based on evidence and strictly in accordance with the law, and have nothing to do with the occupation, background or political stance of the persons concerned. The Department of Justice (DoJ), by virtue of Article 63 of the Basic Law, controls criminal prosecutions free from any interference. Independent prosecutorial decisions for each case are made in a rigorous and objective manner, strictly based on evidence and applicable laws, and are in accordance with the Prosecution Code. Prosecutions would be instituted by the DoJ only if there is sufficient admissible evidence to support a reasonable prospect of conviction, and if it is in the public interest to do so.

The legal system in the HKSAR is robust and transparent. The Basic Law guarantees that the common law system continues to be practised in Hong Kong, and that the HKSAR shall be vested with independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication. The courts shall exercise judicial power independently, free from interference. The rule of law in Hong Kong is strong and robust, and withstands the test of time. The rule of law in Hong Kong is based on the institutional safeguards of the Basic Law and is the fruit of the collaborative efforts of the judicial sector and the legal profession of Hong Kong over the years, and has already taken root in the heart of every citizen in Hong Kong society. The HKSAR Government will continue to support the Judiciary in adjudicating cases independently in accordance with law and resolutely safeguard the rule of law in Hong Kong.

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