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The curtain fell on the Animated Version of the Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival today (November 29) at 11pm, marking the close of this talk-of-the-town exhibition. The three-week visual extravaganza received more than 900,000 visitors.
The exhibition was jointly presented by the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, and co-organised by the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust was the exclusive sponsor of the exhibition.
The Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mrs Betty Fung, was satisfied with the attendance rate and the orderly arrangement of the exhibition. "Over the past three weeks, more than 900,000 visitors came to AsiaWorld-Expo to see the exhibition and greatly enjoyed being able to see for themselves the star exhibit at Shanghai World Expo's China Pavilion. The exhibition offered a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the prosperity and life of the people during the Song dynasty, as depicted by the painter Zhang Zeduan," she said.
"The visitors were impressed by the innovative computer animation technology used in this giant animated version of the Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival."
Thirty times the size of the original painting, viewers could see moving people, running water, various kinds of goods displayed for sale, boat trackers shouting on the river and boats wending their way forward, as well as the fascinating cycle of day and night scenes. The vivid, artificial river meandering through the lower part of the giant picture also helped enhance the atmosphere of the exhibition.
Mrs Fung expressed gratitude to members of the public for their enthusiastic support of the exhibition, as nearly 600,000 tickets were sold within six days and the 168,000 additional tickets were snapped up in eight and a half hours. Moreover, about 200,000 students and members of social welfare groups also visited the exhibition for free.
"I would like to thank the public for waiting patiently and orderly at the counters when tickets were put on sale. Indeed, thanks to the more than 900,000 visitors who arrived at the venue on time, maintained good order when queueing up for admission and viewing the exhibition, the exhibition has run smoothly throughout the three-week period. They have set an excellent record not only for this event but also for Hong Kong. Their profound interest in the exhibition reflects the deep-rooted cultural significance embedded in the painting," she said.
Mrs Fung was impressed by the extensive and in-depth coverage accorded by the media so that this national treasure, along with China's lengthy history and complex culture, could be further revealed to the public.
Mrs Fung paid a visit to the venue this afternoon to meet the LCSD staff and venue management who had been charged with preparing and looking after the exhibition operation. She took the opportunity to thank them for their hard work and dedication in preparing and staging the exhibition.
"My appreciation goes out to my colleagues and all those who took part in this exhibition. The team spirit and professionalism they displayed over the past few months, as well as the painstaking thought they put into the organisation of the exhibition, from planning its content and layout to ticketing, transportation and other logistical arrangements, such venue management and crowd control, contributed significantly to the exhibition's overall success.
"I would also like to express my gratitude to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for its generous donation, and to AsiaWorld-Expo, the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Hong Kong Tourism Board, the MTR Corporation, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, and government departments including the Transport Department, Hong Kong Police Force, Auxiliary Medical Service, Civil Aid service and other transportation organisations for their support and participation in the exhibition. Their participation has helped to give visitors a smooth and pleasant trip to the exhibition venue as well as boosting commercial activities in the vicinity of Tung Chung.
"Last but not the least, I would like to convey my heartfelt thanks to the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination again for their staunch support, without which we could not have brought the animated version of this national treasure to Hong Kong.
"Riding on the success of this mega event, the LCSD will continue to bring more marvellous and educational exhibitions to the people of Hong Kong," Mrs Fung said.
Ends/Monday, November 29, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:23
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