STANDARD CHARTERED ARTS IN THE PARK MARDI GRAS 2010 The Largest Puppet Parade in Hong Kong More input for the annual art event

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1 Press Release STANDARD CHARTERED ARTS IN THE PARK MARDI GRAS 2010 The Largest Puppet Parade in Hong Kong More input for the annual art event [Hong Kong, 19 October 2010] - Organized by Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation ( HKYAF ) with the support of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited ( SCBHK ), Standard Chartered Arts in the Park Mardi Gras is another mega event that receives the full support of SCBHK, apart from the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. In the past two years, the event has attracted a total of over 70,000 visitors. This year s event will be held at the central lawn of Victoria Park on 13 and 14 November (Saturday & Sunday). Standard Chartered Arts in the Park Mardi Gras 2010 is inspired by the five basic elements of life: Earth, Air, Fire, Metal and Water. 600 primary and secondary school students from 100 schools have been working with local artists to create a variety of artworks including 8 to 12 feet tall giant puppets, rod puppets, dramatic costumes, headdresses and hand-dyed silk flags, which will be presented in the form of parade as the finale of the event. There will be free art stalls, performance of African Djembe music, Capoeira and choreographed dance by 60 performing youth groups non stop on stage for the two-day event. What s more, a brand new thematic Sun Dance is choreographed this year, inviting visitors of all ages to take part and enjoy the fun. Stepping into the tenth year, Standard Chartered Arts in the Park Mardi Gras 2010 joins hands with the Wan Chai District Council Cultural and Leisure Services Committee for the first time to organize Arts on the Street by bringing elements of Arts in the Park Mardi Gras 2010 to the streets of Wan Chai. Over 200 youngsters from dance societies of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Society of Boys Centres will put up a grand Sun Dance show. Two giant puppets will make their debut appearance to let members of the public experience the jubilant mood of a carnival in advance.

2 Mr. Benjamin Hung, Executive Director and CEO of Standard Chartered Hong Kong, said, Standard Chartered adheres to its brand promise of Here for Good and is committed to contributing to the broader community with focuses on youth, health, education and environment. With ten years hard work, Standard Chartered Arts in the Park Mardi Gras has inspired creativity and talents of countless young people and has become more and more popular. This year, Standard Chartered puts in more resources to promote the event at all levels and extend the artistic atmosphere to branches of the Bank. We believe the event will enrich communities through their participation in these kinds of interactive arts and culture experiences. Between 1 to 12 of November, jesters will shuttle between Standard Chartered branches to take photos with customers and give surprises, with a view to creating a vibrant artistic atmosphere throughout Hong Kong. Founder and Artistic Director of HKYAF Lindsey McAlister said, HKYAF believes that art provides such a liberating space to explore ideas and thoughts, because nothing is ever wrong in art. This year the potential with the 5 elements: Metal, Earth, Air, Fire and Water, is so rich, because you can take it in so many directions! Come join us for a weekend to stretch your imagination, revel in art and celebrate our existence on this rich planet with the 5 elements! To let members of the public have a quick grasp of the updates of Standard Chartered Arts in the Park Mardi Gras 2010, the organizer has set up a dedicated Facebook page and launched an online game. Users can learn Sun Dance on the webpage and make their own Sun Dance short films by uploading photos of themselves and their family dressed up as the characters of the 5 elements Metal, Earth, Water, Fire and Air. The fun and creativity of the event will further spread through sharing the film with friends. *** AIP page on Facebook: AIP game on Facebook: Photo downloads: Enquiries about AIP events:

3 (1) Executive Director and CEO of Standard Chartered Hong Kong Mr. Benjamin Hung (middle) and the Founder and Artistic Director of Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation Ms. Lindsey McAlister (left) joined the drum show to mark the beginning of Standard Chartered Arts in the Park Mardi Gras (2) Executive Director and CEO of Standard Chartered Hong Kong Mr. Benjamin Hung and the Founder and Artistic Director of Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation Ms. Lindsey McAlister with a group of young participants of Standard Chartered Arts in the Park Mardi Gras.

4 (3) Executive Director and CEO of Standard Chartered Hong Kong Mr. Benjamin Hung said that more resources would be put in to promote Standard Chartered Arts in the Park Mardi Gras as an annual arts event in Hong Kong. (4) Founder and Artistic Director of Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation Ms. Lindsey McAlister said that the theme for Standard Chartered Arts in the Park Mardi Gras this year was inspired by the five elements of Metal, Earth, Water, Fire and Air.

5 For media enquiry: Avis Kong / Janet Chan Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited Tel: / or Fingertips Company Limited Evon Yap Tel: / / evon@fingertips.hk Susanna Mo Tel: / / susanna@fingertips.hk Notes to Editor: About Standard Chartered Arts in the Park Mardi Gras Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited is committed to contributing to the community that it operates, especially supporting sustainable development programmes focusing on the areas of Youth, Health, Education and the Environment. Since 2001, Standard Chartered Hong Kong has supported the HKYAF s annual community arts event Arts in the Plaza. In 2008, Arts in the Plaza was renamed Arts in the Park Mardi Gras and expanded into a whole day event emphasizing public participation. HKYAF introduced a new element to the event by adding a thematic parade creating a festive outdoor event that celebrates the vitality and diversity of the Hong Kong community. Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation is a charity that provides access to high quality, non-competitive arts experiences for all young people aged Established in 1993 by Lindsey McAlister OBE, YAF organizes inclusive and inspirational projects that reach out to young people of all cultures, backgrounds, languages and abilities and actively creates opportunities for disadvantaged and underprivileged young people. Each year we reach over 800,000 young people through our projects, exhibitions and performances. About Standard Chartered Standard Chartered leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East Standard Chartered PLC is a leading international bank, listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges. It has operated for over 150 years in some of the world's most dynamic markets and earns around 90 per cent of its income and profits in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. This geographic focus and commitment to developing deep relationships with clients and customers has driven the Bank s growth in recent years. With 1700 offices in 70 markets, Standard Chartered offers exciting and challenging international career opportunities for its 75,000 staff. The Bank is committed to building a sustainable business over the long term and is trusted worldwide for upholding high standards of corporate governance, social responsibility, environmental protection and employee diversity. This heritage and these

6 values are expressed in its brand promise, Here for good. The history of Standard Chartered in Hong Kong dates back to It is currently one of the SAR s three note-issuing banks. Standard Chartered incorporated its Hong Kong business on 1 July 2004, and now operates as a licensed bank in Hong Kong under the name of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Standard Chartered PLC. Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited has been named the Employer of Choice at the prestigious Hong Kong HR Awards for two consecutive years in 2008 and 2009, and by The Gallup Organisation as a winner of the Gallup Great Workplace Award for three consecutive years from 2008 to For more information on Standard Chartered, please visit ***