A variety show will be held at Hong Kong Coliseum next Tuesday to celebrate the 11th anniversary of the SAR's reunification with the motherland, welcome the Beijing Olympics, and show support to the reconstruction of quake-devastated Sichuan province.

The event, themed "Our Heart, One Mind, Go China", is organized by a preparatory committee set up by the Hong Kong Celebrations Association (HKCA).

"There will not be a parade as in last year as it is not suitable to rejoice after the quake in May," said HKCA chairman Cheng Yiu-tong.

Five thousand free tickets will be given out to members of the public at 20 service centers of the Home Affairs Bureau from tomorrow. Each person can get two tickets. The remaining 7,000 seats will be taken up by guests and members of the preparatory committee.

The HKCA urged those coming to the event to make donations at the entrance of the coliseum. Money collected will be donated fully to the Red Cross Society of China.

Meanwhile, Cheng said the cost of organizing the event will be minimal as the venue is provided by the government for free and there won't be much venue decoration or promotion.

The variety show will start at 11am and last for an hour and 45 minutes.

In addition to the flag-raising ceremony by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Forces Hong Kong, about 10 victims in the Sichuan earthquake will talk about their experiences.

Six government departments which have participated in the rescue operations in Sichuan will be awarded.

These include the Hospital Authority, Water Supplies Department, Department of Health, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Fire Services Department and Government Flying Service.

Show biz artistes and athletes who have won medals in Paralympics and Olympics will also take part in the celebratory event.

(HK Edition 06/24/2008 page1)