I take great pleasure in extending a cordial welcome to all participants in the Asia Song Festival 1997 (the second in the new series of annual Asia Song Festival launched last year) which is to held in Hong Kong from 20 to 24 February 1997 and attended by representatives from Brunei, China, Hong Kong. Indonesia, Japan, Korea. Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan.
1997 is of course a year of great political and constitutional change for the territory as sovereignty reverts to China on July I. This is a period of transition, development and reincarnation, as Hong Kong takes its place as a Special Administrative Region of China, with its capitalist system and high degree of autonomy assured for 50 years under the Basic Law and Article 31 of The Chinese Constitution which provides for "one country, two systems".
To mark these significant events, what could be more fitting than a celebration of songs from 10 territories in the Asian region, each with its own individual culture, and the harmony, interchange of creativity and healthy competition which that will generate?
In cooperation with the MEMF (Minoru Endoh Music Foundation), with the support of the Nippon Foundation and with the patronage and encouragement of the Hong Kong Government, CASH is proud to present the Asia Song Festival, Hong Kong '97, of which the principal activities include:
a. Symposium
b. New song competition
c. Concert of evergreen songs from participating territories.
This is a significant year also in the history of CASH as we move towards our 20th anniversary this September and continue to develope our role as a regional hub for collective administration of global royalties and promoter of musical endeavour. To respect copyright and support creativity is the keynote of our undertaking and the message we bring to all consumers.
Congratulations and best wishes to each of the composers, authors and singers involved in the competition and concert and I hope that the symposium to be held on 21 February 1997 will serve to stimulate the intellect and be of value to all concerned.
My sincere thanks to all participants and their supporters.
Malcolm Barnett
Chairman, Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong Limited Honorary Advisor, Asia Song Festival, Hong Kong '97
