一如往年，長洲太平清醮活動吸引數以萬計市民及遊客觀賞，歡聲笑語，氣氛熱鬧。以重頭戲飄色巡遊來說，有人扮演運輸及房屋局局長張炳良，腳踏大石及蟹，諷刺他「大石壓死蟹」；亦有小演員以政務司司長林鄭月娥裝扮亮相，諷刺她有關政改的「一錘定音」論；此外還有「來自星星的財爺」主題飄色，以熱播韓劇人物諷刺財政司司長曾俊華「來自外星」，完全不知民間疾苦，切中時弊，令人會心微笑。事實證明，香港民間不乏創意，只要當局提供支援，加以宣傳，不僅發展創意及文化產業水到渠成，還有助於提升本港旅遊業的吸引力。

遺憾的是，港府官員眼高手低。前朝曾蔭權政府敲鑼打鼓成立盛事基金，五年來共撥出九千七百萬元，資助二十四項活動，可惜大部分活動濫竽充數，吸客效益有限，比起民間自發舉行、年年大收旺場的長洲太平清醮，實有天淵之別。

長洲太平清醮愈辦愈紅火，證明推動文化創意不是靠長官意志，而是靠民間智慧。港府應該盡力支持這些饒具本地特色的傳統活動，而不是胡亂揮霍金錢，做甚麼盛事之都的黃粱美夢。

P:Annual Cheung Chau Da Jiu Festival parade Sows the Seeds for Hong Kong Success

Like previous years,Cheung Chau Da Jiu Festival drew tens of thousands of Hongkongers and tourists,filling the island with cheerful chatter,crowd and colours.

The highlight of the festival is the Piu Sik（Floating Colours） parade,where a young performer impersonated Housing and Transport Secretary Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung and perched on a large rock and a crab,mocking Cheung for abusing his power by raising the ferry fares.

Another performer was playing Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor who was lampooned for her remark of“setting the tone with one beat of the gong”on the electoral reform.

Also, Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah was satirized around the theme of“Tsang from the Stars”,an adaptation from a Korean popular drama.He was depicted as“extraterrestrial”and thus unknowing of the sufferings of the people.The scene hit right on the present-day evils,making people smile from the heart.

It has proved that Hong Kong people are never short of creativity.If the authority is willing to provide the right support and sufficient promotion,not only does it help develop the cultural and creative industry,but also boosts the tourism in Hong Kong.

Unfortunately,it appears that the government officials are biting off more than they can chew.

The Mega Events Fund established by the former Donald Tsang Yam-kuen government subsidized a sum of 97 million dollars and funded a total of 24 events.However, all of this is just to make up the number with little effect on drawing visitors.These“mega events”have made a stark contract with the Cheung Chau Da Jiu Festival that receives tremendous acclaim every year.

With increasing popularity,Cheung Chau Da Jiu Festival has proved that a creative culture does not rely on the determination of the officials,but the wisdom of people.

The Hong Kong government should reserve their support for traditional events with a local charm such as this and refrain from extravagant spending on sheer largeness and unattainable success.

重要生字

present-day evils 時弊

be never short of… 不乏

biting off more than one can chew 眼高手低

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