Author: simon

We’ve Walked a Million Miles of Life. To Send a Letter to Blind Eyes

“We’ve walked a million miles of life
To send a letter to blind eyes”

Local band Chimeras have released a new song about the suffering endured by so many in the ongoing struggle to preserve Hong Kong’s identity and freedoms.
https://youtu.be/43fx5eArnA8

We’ve walked a million miles of life
To send a letter to blind eyes

Our world is full of lies
There’s nothing different between “You” and “I”
When silence is a crime
Will judge by inner mind

May glory come down to our place
May the glory fill our place

We keep our heads up high
But tears are hiding from the moonlight
Though the truth is far behind
One day we’ll realise

We’ve got to fight till the end
Dawn yet to come
May you rest in peace
Let us carry on…

Arranger, Composer, Lyricist: CHIMERAS

photo: KRIZ Photography

Cash Payout Registration Begins

Registration for the HK Government’s $10,000 economic stimulus payout finally begins today, 21 June, 2020.

Do you qualify for the handout?

Are you over 18 years old and a Hong Kong permanent resident as of 31 March, 2021 (yes 2021!), then yes.

If you qualify, you have until 31 December, 2021 to register.

How to Register?

There are two ways to register:
If you have a Hong Kong dollar savings or current account in your name (not a joint account) with one of these banks, you can register on your bank’s website or mobile app.

If you don’t have an HK bank account or if you do but it’s not only in your name, you can register via paper form filed through Hong Kong Post or your bank.

When will you get your $10,000?

Bank e-registration payments start on 8 July 2020. Applications made after 1 July are promised payment within 1 week.

If you don’t e-register, payments begin 20 July, with registrations after 5 July taking up to a month to process.

For more information check out the website www.cashpayout.gov.hk

Laurel Chor Honoured by IWMF

Congratulations to Hong Kong women’s rugby international Laurel Chor who was named an honoree in the 2020 Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award.

Chor has been given an honourable mention in the International Women’s Media Foundation’s (IWMF)awards for her coverage of the Hong Kong protests and showing the region’s struggle for democracy, freedom and human rights.

The award was created to celebrate the courageous work of female photojournalists. Learn more about this year’s awardees on website.

image: hkrugby

+ 1, Lest We Forget

Thousands of Hongkongers queued peacefully for hours in Admiralty on the first anniversary of Marco Leung Ling-kit death during the antiELAB protests wearing a yellow raincoat bearing the Chinese words “Carrie Lam kills Hong Kong; the police are cold-blooded”.

The solemn memorial for the first person killed, on the 15 June 2019, during the antiELAB demonstrations saw people lay flowers offer prayers and numerous renditions of Glory to Hong Kong.

After six hours of peaceful remembrance as the last of the massive line of mourners laid their flowers the police, needing to intimidate rather than police, marched up in riot gear banging shields and shining bright lights.

photos: internet

44th Hong Kong International Film Festival New Dates

The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) have announced the new dates for the 44th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF44) which will now be held from the 18-31 August 2020.

No information has been released as to whether the new dates will also include Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF18).

In announcing the new dates Executive Director Albert Lee said HKIFFS had decided to re-launch HKIFF44 after the Hong Kong government began easing the COVID-19 restrictive measures, including allowing local cinemas to re-open.

“We are cautiously optimistic that Hong Kong is gradually returning to normal from the health crisis,” said Mr Lee.  “I am pleased that we have not stopped our preparation since the postponement.  The prospects of being able to bring back HKIFF44 to our audience are exciting.  Nothing beats the big-screen experience of watching a diverse selection of films from around the world.”

The full programme of films will be announced on the 28 July with tickets going on sale from the 5 August through URBTIX.

44th Hong Kong International Film Festival
Date: 18-31 August, 2020
Venue: various
Tickets: tbc

For latest updates of HKIFF44 and Cine Fan programmes, www.hkiff.org.hk and www.cinefan.com.hk.  For information about HAF18, www.haf.org.hk.

Tiananmen Square Vigil @ Victoria Park – 4 June, 2020

Quite surprisingly the 31st Anniversary vigil of the CCP’s massacre of its own citizens in Tiananmen Square for daring to question the party passed peacefully.

After a year of violence and aggression, the CCP militia formerly known as the HK Police showed a bit of common sense and avoided what could have been a second bloody 4 June.

Wearing blue uniforms, instead of riot green while keeping riot shields and weapons hidden, they turned a blind eye to the tens of thousands of HongKongers who congregated at Victoria Park to stand together and remember those murdered in 1989.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2020/Tiananmen-Square-Vigil-4-June-2020-Victoria-Park/i-pPhJ4Dt

The mood was as sombre as it’s been in several years, with many of those gathering wondering if they were going to be victims of the next CCP massacre…

As the time of the vigil passed and the police hadn’t attacked, the strains of Glory to Hong Kong began to reverberate across the park and a sea of raised hands reminded Beijing – 5 Demands, Not 1 Less.

With the CCP again perverting the Basic Law and ignoring the signed international treaties that define One Country 2 Systems with the forced implementation of a ‘National Security’ law. While their glove puppets in Legco reinterpret the rules to pass the ‘Respect the National Anthem’ law – HongKongers stood united in remembrance and spirit.

HongKongers understand, they like China. They just don’t trust, like or respect the CCP. The March of the Volunteers is not China’s anthem it’s the CCPs. The National Security law is about keeping the CCP and its corrupt sycophants in power not about protecting China.

Standing united across Hong Kong and the world last night, millions of people remembered and reminded those who might have forgotten the truth about the CCP.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2020/Tiananmen-Square-Vigil-4-June-2020-Victoria-Park/i-9Rmzgd5

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2020/Tiananmen-Square-Vigil-4-June-2020-Victoria-Park/i-BSp47bm

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2020/Tiananmen-Square-Vigil-4-June-2020-Victoria-Park/i-cMvnwv8

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2020/Tiananmen-Square-Vigil-4-June-2020-Victoria-Park/i-9c4PX7C

Big Buddha Renovations

The Big Buddha, or to give it it’s official name the Tian Tan Giant Buddha, at the Po Lin Monastery will be closed for maintenance and repair work from the 2 June 2020.

The repairs involve the cleaning of the bronze statue, which opened in 1989, to remove the oxidation layer and pollutants. During the maintenance, the area around the statue will be closed to the public but the monastery and religious ceremonies will continue as usual and visitors are welcome.

Image: Po Lin Monastery