Mr. Wolff Heinrichsdorff , Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening!
I am very honoured to be here tonight receiving the “2007 Hong Kong Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award ", representing Hong Kong.
I have to take this opportunity to thank Montblanc for affirming my achievements in the realm of Performing Arts over the last forty years. At the same time, I have to thank all the organizations for affording me various opportunities in different forms of Performing Arts, from TV to Singing, to Musicals to Cantonese Opera. These opportunities have enabled me to improve my artistic values as well as my skills in the deliveries of the different forms of Performance Arts. My honour tonight should be shared with you all.
Our Chief Executive said that he had to get the job done. When I first entered the show-business 40 years ago, I had also set the target of getting the job done. I had followed this target in all the jobs that I got myself into and all the roles I played. I kept to my motto of seeking improvements every day in all kinds of Performing Arts which I am interested in. Any difficulties would collapse in the face of my perseverance and persistence. I persist in my efforts; I persist in learning for improvements; I persist in my conviction. I have done that in the past 40 years; and I shall continue to do so in the years ahead.
I am quite sure that it is this same conviction to be the market leader which had led Montblanc to become the premium brand in the products they sell for over 100 years. I am particularly impressed that as a commercial enterprise, they would assume their social responsibility in establishing the " Montblanc Cultural Foundation ". This Foundation has a lofty goal of recognizing and commending the accomplishments of artists all over the world and fostering world peace.
Arts is the culmination of man's knowledge, emotions, ideals and concepts. Performing Arts can enrich the daily life of man. Hong Kong is a leading cosmopolitan city in the world. Apart from pursuing economic efficiencies and financial gains every day, our citizens hanker for a balanced life, a life which would invariably embody the appreciation of arts and Performing Arts. This is where I would think that our Government should put in sufficient resources to promote arts and Performing Arts for the benefits of our citizens of all walks of life.
In the Award which I am getting tonight, there is an amount of fifteen thousand Euros. I would like to announce that I shall be donating the cash award to the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, to show my support for the promotion of Chinese music in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, made up of a group of 85 professional musicians today, was established in 1977. They were under Government full subvention all the way until 2001 when they were incorporated and had to be responsible for part of their own funding. Needless to say, such a change had distracted their mission as the inspirations for Hong Kong people as well as the cultural ambassadors of Hong Kong to the rest of the world. But knowing them well and having co-operated with them in a number of concerts, I admired their professionalism and their passion for Chinese music.
I am very pleased to have the opportunity of donating my cash award received tonight to the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. I hope many within here tonight and outside will be inspired to make greater contributions to supporting them in the days and years ahead. And above all, I hope this gesture of mine will arouse the attention of the Hong Kong Government to put in more resources to support the many performing artists and many organizations devoted to Performing Arts in our hometown. With a healthy development of Performing Arts in Hong Kong, it will become an even better place to live in tomorrow.
Lastly, let me repeat my thanks to Montblanc for giving me this great Award tonight. I wish Montblanc its continued success in Hong Kong and in the world, for the next 100 years. Thank you.