Nominally, the main aim of Hong Kong Week in 1967 was to promote the idea of “Hong Kong People Use Hong Kong Products”, but the content and form of the actual activities gave the impression that the deeper purpose was to “share joy with the masses”. Apart from exhibitions of handicrafts and a competition called “Shoppers’ List”, activities featuring popular music, opera, acrobatics, fashion, sports competitions, Hong Kong Week Pageant, etc. were really cultural and recreational in nature. Clearly the intention was to cater to the tastes and interests of the wider population.

The same direction was adopted by the following three Festivals so that cultural and recreational activities continued to dominate. In order to appeal to the whole population, variety was indispensable – there must be something for everybody. Within the short span of one week, several hundred activities of many different types, were mounted. The different nature and form of the activities reflected the unique character of the respective organizing groups.

A look at the details of the Hong Kong Festival programme can help us understand the special nature of the Festival; it can also tell us something about Hong Kong society and culture in the late 1960s and early 1970s.