Bastille Day: Consul General’s address to the French community [fr]

Message from Consul General Alexandre Giorgini to the French community in Hong Kong and Macau

“La Marseillaise” and of “La Vie en Rose” by Tang King Yip Timothy

On the occasion of Bastille Day, the Consulate General of France is pleased to present these renditions of French national anthem “La Marseillaise” and “La Vie en Rose” by Tang King Yip Timothy. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Tang King Yip Timothy is already, at only eleven years old, a talented harmonicist who won several world championships. He was the Junior Solo Champion at the « 12th Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival » in Beijing in 2018, and he has been elected as one of the « Hong Kong Top 10 Outstanding Teenagers » in 2021. He is accompanied here by pianist Ingrid Chan, and both pieces are arranged by Cy Leo.

Books donation to Po Leung Kuk’s kindergartens

In a ceremony at the Hong Kong Book Fair, taking place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau donated nearly 500 children books to Po Leung Kuk’s 24 kindergartens. The initiative was held as part of this year’s Bastille Day celebrations to promote French culture in Hong Kong, as reading has been made France’s “great national cause” by President Emmanuel Macron. Books donated on this occasion include classics of French children literature, such as The Little Prince by writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

“Reading activities open up many opportunities for children to learn and explore the world around us,” said Mr Benoit Cormier, Deputy Consul General. “We hope that this collection will inspire their imagination, as well as help teachers share the pleasure of reading and storytelling with young children and their parents.”

Po Leung Kuk is pleased to receive support from French Consulate to early-childhood education. The Kuk believes the love of reading is the key to encourage students in self-motivated learning in long-term. The literature collection will enrich both teaching and reading experiences at the campuses.

Po Leung Kuk’s 24 affiliated kindergartens nurture 6,500 students in Hong Kong annually. The schools attach great importance in developing strong language foundation for young children, engaging students in regular reading activities. During the Covid-19 pandemic, teachers continue to read with students during virtual lessons and share readers via digital teaching resources database.

A French meal for Hong Kong’s underprivileged workers

The Consulate General of France partnered with Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service to offer a French meal to about 30 underprivileged workers (single mothers with young children, elderly citizens) at its Wan Chai centre. This gesture of solidarity was made possible thanks to the food donation from gourmet supplier Classic Fine Foods, the chef of the French residence who prepared the meal, and staff from the social services centre and from the Consulate General who coordinated the event in compliance with social distancing measures.

Founded in 1978 by the Hong Kong Baptist University, Baptist Oi Kwan Social Services has become one of the Consulate General’s major partner over the years. The French Chamber Foundation launched its “Lunch Club” project with the organization in 2015 to provide affordable and healthy meals to underprivileged workers. New projects, such as employment services, have since been launched. The Consulate General collaborated with the centre on numerous occasions since 2019, with the joint organization of the Prize of Social Innovation and its participation to the Night of Ideas dedicated to social entrepreneurship.