To promote Chinese history and culture, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) launched a new Chinese History and Culture series (www.lcsd.gov.hk/edutainment/en/for_history/index.html) on its Edutainment Channel, which is an online platform covering informative and learning materials on aspects of culture and leisure. The new series collects videos related to Chinese history and traditional culture that are produced by the LCSD on one page to save members of the public from time spent searching.

     The LCSD's Edutainment Channel has been popular among members of the public since its launch in December 2020. Over 1 500 videos have been uploaded on the channel and around 32 million views have been noted so far. The Chinese History and Culture series consolidates videos on Chinese history and culture on the channel for the public's easy browsing, providing them with ways to learn more about the substantial Chinese history and culture, thus enhancing their national identity and sense of belonging. 

     Videos uploaded to the Chinese History and Culture series include:

* "Chinese History and Culture 101": using a lively way to introduce historical figures and the "pop culture" of the ancient world, for example "Ming Dynasty Fashionista" and "The Book of Ancient Trends";

* "Hong Kong Heritage Museum - The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Dunhuang: Enchanting Tales for Millennium Talk Series and Drama Performance" that illustrates Dunhuang culture from different perspectives;

* "Hong Kong Museum of Art - Talk Series for City Rhymes: The Melodious Notes of Calligraphy Exhibition" that tells in-depth stories behind calligraphies; 

* "Art Promotion Office - Traversing the Forbidden City" online exhibition series; 

* "Appreciation of Literature" - "Records of the Grand Historian: the Four Lords of the Warring States" and "A Moment of Tang Poetry"; 

* Library Talks - "Subject Talk Series on History and Culture of Hong Kong", "Hong Kong Memory Subject Talks" and "Heritage Talks".

* "Chinese Music 101 - Chinese Music a Click Away": introduction of traditional Chinese music instruments, and "Heartstrings of the Guzheng": appreciation of Chinese music with video images;

* "Chinese Dance 101: Dynamics of Chinese Dance": introduction of history and genres of Chinese dance, and appreciation of Chinese dance with multiple angles; and

* Online performances of Cantonese Opera excerpts, and Cantonese Opera virtuosi and creative personnel to share their experiences and knowledge in seminars.

     The LCSD's Edutainment Channel, combining education with entertainment, is best reflected by its slogan, "One click to treasures - culture and leisure". The resources of the channel are grouped into six categories, namely museums, reading, performing arts, sports, horticulture and greening, and animals, offering numerous videos on online exhibitions, performances and sports demonstrations. Also included is information on the promotion of online reading and flora and fauna of the LCSD's major parks. New ideas are often developed on the channel, for instance, the "For Kids" page was launched in July last year, enabling parents and teachers to select suitable content for students and children.

     The channel also features the 101 Academy, which releases new videos every Friday, starting from basic concepts and systematically introducing various kinds of leisure and cultural knowledge. This helps the public grasp background knowledge before visiting exhibitions, participating in leisure and cultural activities and watching sports games. The channel also runs a "vis-à-vis+01" series, which utilises Internet technology to create interactive experiences, including museum virtual guided tours, online interactive sports training programmes and various kinds of online lectures. This lets members of the public join various leisure and cultural activities from the comfort of their homes.

     Content of the Edutainment Channel will be updated regularly to keep people abreast of the latest developments in arts, culture, recreation and sports. Members of the public are most welcome to visit the channel and may also obtain the latest information of the Edutainment Channel via the "LCSD Plusss" Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LCSDPlusss/) and Instagram page (www.instagram.com/lcsdplusss/).

Ends/Monday, January 9, 2023
Issued at HKT 11:00

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