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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO), took part in the City of London Lord Mayor's Show on November 9 (London time) for the ninth year with a float focusing on comic and animation characters from Hong Kong, promoting Hong Kong's creative industries.
The highlight of Hong Kong's entry in the show was the seven live-action mascots of some of Hong Kong's renowned characters from comic books, cartoons and animations, who charmed the crowd, marching alongside the float, waving and interacting with spectators as they went. The characters included: Fatina and Chefo from the colourful world of Fatina Dreams; McDull and McMug from the highly popular series; Old Master Q, a man who often stumbles himself and his friends in and out of trouble; as well as Wind and Cloud, from the martial arts comic series "Fung Wan". The Hong Kong float also featured a comic-style image of the Hong Kong skyline bursting out of a giant comic book.
The Lord Mayor's Show celebrates the swearing-in of the new Lord Mayor of the City of London. This year, Alderman Fiona Woolf became the 686th Lord Mayor of the City of London - only the second woman to hold the post since it was created in the 13th century.
Ms Erica Ng, the Director-General of the London ETO, which devised and organised Hong Kong's float at the show, said, "We congratulate the new Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Woolf, and look forward to working with her. Our float in this year's Lord Mayor's Show demonstrates that as well as being one of the world's most forward-looking cities and one of the top international business centres, Hong Kong is also home to a vibrant and thriving creative sector."
"Hong Kong's animation, special effects and comics industries have earned an international reputation. An extensive cluster of media, multimedia, design and creative-related industries also use Hong Kong as their regional hub," Ms Ng said.
The Lord Mayor's Show was first held in 1215 to celebrate the new Lord Mayor's journey to swear an oath of allegiance to the reigning British monarch. Around half a million people take to the streets to see the parade each year, while the BBC broadcasts it live to millions of people in Britain and globally. Hong Kong has a long tradition of working with the City of London and the Lord Mayor. The previous Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Roger Gifford, visited Hong Kong in September 2013.
The London ETO has been taking part in the Lord Mayor's Show since 2005, with colourful and exciting displays highlighting Hong Kong's cultural heritage. The themes of previous Hong Kong floats at the show included Cantonese Opera, Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree and Cheung Chau Bun Festival.
Ends/Monday, November 11, 2013
Issued at HKT 03:48
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