Southern District Literary Trail Landmark Design Competition online voting starts today (with photos)
************************************************************

The following is issued on behalf of the Southern District Council:

     With a view to fostering art and culture in the community, the Southern District Council (SDC) has organised a landmark design competition for the Southern District Literary Trail. The public are invited to cast votes for their favourite landmark designs online from today (December 17) until January 16, 2011.

     The Southern District is well known for its rich literary culture. Six notable contemporary literati, namely Cai Yuanpei, Xu Dishan, Hu Shih, Chang Eileen, Xiao Hong and Dai Wangshu have left their footprints there. To enhance local literary education and creativity while promoting local tourism, the SDC recently launched the Southern District Literary Trail. Landmarks will be established along the way to connect the spots where these literary figures left their mark.

     Under the guidance of a lecturer, 40 students from the School of Design of Hong Kong Polytechnic University were invited to design the landmarks for the trail.

     An adjudication panel -- comprising Ms Lu Wei-luan (also known as Xiao Si), the author of the book "Literary Walk in Hong Kong", representatives from the Southern District Office and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, professors from the School of Design of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Southern District Councillors -- has selected 19 outstanding designs from the entries.

     The 19 designs are displayed at the gallery of the Urban Oasis Gallery, second floor, Central Market, from today to December 29. The public is welcome to visit the exhibition. They can also vote for their favourite designs by visiting the website, www.travelsouth.hk, from today until January 16.

     Five designs as well as the Most Outstanding Design Award will be selected by the adjudication panel in February 2011 and online voting results are important references. The awardees will be announced at the closing ceremony of the Southern District Tourism and Culture Festival to be held on February 13, 2011. Trophies and book coupons will be awarded to the five winners and a travelling scholarship will be awarded to the winner of the Most Outstanding Design Award.

     The SDC will commission professionals to help the students fine-tune the landmark designs with reference to the actual site and its environment, and confirm the location of the landmarks.

Ends/Friday, December 17, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:36

NNNN