Encore Values: Get front and centre for the Hong Kong Arts Festival, shaper of the cultural landscape

The Hong Kong Arts Festival (HKAF) has been a cornerstone of the city’s cultural scene for over half a century. Celebrating its 52nd edition this year, it continues to captivate audiences with diverse and world-class performances. The month-long cultural feast will see more than 1,400 outstanding international and local artists delivering over 150 performances of music, theatre, dance, opera and more. Additionally, Festival Plus as well as outreach and education events account for another 350 engaging arts activities.

The festival proper begins with the classics, as the Bavarian State Opera performs Richard Strauss’s 1912 opera Ariadne auf Naxos on 22 February, and closes on 22 March with a modern ballet, A Sigh of Love, devised by a Sino- French creative team for the Shanghai Ballet. As Kingman Lo, Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Festival Society, says: “The 52nd edition of the HKAF will continue our legacy of offering a broad spectrum of the world’s best artists and performances, enticing the Hong Kong audience with an irresistible blend of timeless classics and groundbreaking new works.”

One of the key highlights of this year’s festival is the appearance of five-time Grammy Award- winner Angelique Kidjo. Over the course of a remarkable career spanning more than 40 years, the powerhouse diva has introduced the world to the essence of Africa. For her outstanding musical accomplishments and efforts, she was most recently granted the Polar Music Prize. With the promise of an evening filled with joyful music and the beautiful sounds of the African diaspora, Kidjo’s Mother Nature tour is now making its way to Hong Kong.

HKAF Executive Director Flora Yu also underscores the importance of showcasing contemporary pieces at the annual festival. “We make it our mission to introduce to Hong Kong audiences a fascinating line-up of daring and innovative new works which hold the promise of becoming canonical works of tomorrow,” she says. “In addition, we continue to present a variety of brilliant local works featuring some of the best Hong Kong artists.”

By putting the future on the canvas of the past, Van Gogh in Me is an immersive audio-visual experience that significantly pushes the limits of the conventional concert experience. Van Gogh and Klimt’s brushstrokes are transformed into a state-of-the-art performance experience by the Netherlands Chamber Choir’s resonant purity of sounds and emotions combined with real-time technology.

Back at Full Volume

This year’s festival marks a return to form after several lean cultural years that left Hong Kong arts enthusiasts starved of live international performances. “We are pleased to be able to present our 52nd Festival on a large scale after emerging from a three-year pandemic and staging the previous 51st Festival in semi-recovery mode,” notes Yu. This ramp-up is reflected in the HKAF’s overall budget which is anticipated to be about HK$150 million in the 2023-2024 financial year.

The festival has historically relied heavily on fundraising, and its goal for 2024 is that contributions and pledges from institutional and individual donors and benevolent foundations will account for about 48% of its total revenue. The Hong Kong Jockey Club, for example, has consistently supported the event since its inception. A further 25% of funds will come from the box office, while a recurring subvention of HK$18.89 million from the Hong Kong Government equates to about 12% of the yearly revenue. A possible additional government grant to match donations and sponsorship, and other revenue streams will comprise the remaining 15%.

Lasting Legacy

The Hong Kong Arts Festival was founded in 1973 with the aim of showcasing exceptional artistic talent from around the world while nurturing local creativity. Over the years, it has become one of Asia’s premier arts events, consistently attracting renowned international artists and troupes and earning a reputation for excellence.

By bringing together artists from diverse cultures and genres, the festival has fostered a vibrant exchange of ideas and artistic collaborations. It has encouraged local artists to push boundaries and experiment with new forms of expression, leading to the emergence of unique and innovative performances. Moreover, the festival’s influence extends beyond its annual program to actively engage with the community. Through educational initiatives, workshops and masterclasses, it nurtures the next generation of artists and cultivates an appreciation for the arts among students and the general public. These efforts have contributed to the growth of Hong Kong’s artistic ecosystem and the development of a discerning audience.

Expanded Reach

Running alongside the main performances is the Festival Plus program that aims to enrich the experience of culture buffs from all walks of life. A diverse range of activities like talks, masterclasses and meet-the-artist sessions in performance venues and community locations boosts audience engagement. Highlights this year include a backstage tour of the Ariadne auf Naxos production as well as a fun-filled exhibition titled Unboxing Chinese Opera. In addition, there are outreach events and education programmes targeted at students to foster the younger generation’s interest in, and knowledge of, the arts.

Founded in 1992, the Young Friends of the Hong Kong Arts Festival initiative offers a variety of seminars, lectures and backstage visits to full-time students up to the age of 25, reaching a remarkable 820,000 budding arts lovers thus far. Members of Young Friends can experience two chosen performances and rehearsals during the festival.

In an effort to make the arts more accessible, the HKAF has expanded its presence across multiple venues throughout Hong Kong. Beyond the traditional theatre spaces, performances are held in parks, community centres and heritage sites. This approach aims to bring the arts closer to the public, breaking down barriers and reaching audiences who may not typically attend formal concerts or plays.

Embracing the Future

Organisers are focused on ensuring HKAF’s continued relevance and accessibility to the public by embracing new technologies and formats. Key initiatives include expanding the festival’s digital presence and incorporating digital elements like virtual reality experiences and immersive installations into its programming. Live streaming, on-demand performances and interactive online platforms enable individuals who may be unable to attend in person or prefer the convenience of experiencing the arts from their own homes to engage with the festival offerings.

With a storied past and a vision for the future, the Hong Kong Arts Festival continues to shape the artistic landscape of Hong Kong. As the curtain rises on the 52nd edition, it remains an indispensable platform for artistic expression and cultural exchange, exciting audiences and inspiring generations to come.

What’s on? Things to do this May in Hong Kong

Whether you want to spend your leisure time appreciating some culture around the world or exploring the world of cinema or art, this May, Hong Kong is bringing you a line of events to keep you entertained over the month. Below are the ones you should definitely be adding to your calendar.

Virtually Versailles

As part of Le French May when Francophone culture is celebrated all over Hong Kong, Virtually Versailles presents the nation’s heritage in the form of an interactive tour of the Palace of Versailles. Whizzing you over to the spectacular château built by Louis XIV west of Paris, this magical experience is a visual journey across time, exploring the palace garden, the splendidly baroque Hall of Mirrors, and even catching a glimpse of Queen Marie Antoinette’s bedroom from three centuries ago.

When: Until 9 July
Where: Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Sha Tin
How much: HK$7
Click here for more information.

Fete des Fleurs

It is universally agreed that of the four seasons, Spring is a particularly beautiful time given all the flowers burst into vibrant bloom. Bringing such beauty to light is the Fete des Fleurs, a project instigated by the Sham Shui Po district office that first blossomed in March. A Fairytale Floral route and related activities have showcased a wide variety of flowers, including chrysanthemums, cherry blossoms, kapok, bougainvillaea and tulip. This month, city dwellers can look forward to even more colour from the likes of hydrangea and bauhinia.

When: Until 31 May
Where: Various venues in Sham Shui Po
How much: Free admission
Click here for more information.

Beauty and the Beast in Concert

Up for a musical concert that will ignite childhood memories? Then Disney’s Beauty and the Beast concert presented by Sound of the Earth is a must for your calendar. With Ponte Orchestra playing music live, alongside conductor Stephen Lam, while the plot of the classic cartoon unravels on the big screen, a riveting performance is assured. Caught up in countless flashes of nostalgia, fans can hum along to all the old tunes.

When: 5-7 May
Where: Star Hall, KITEC, Kowloon Bay
How much: From HK$280

Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels

Van Cleef & Arpels’ love of dance is inbred in the brand’s history and its cultural programme – Dance Reflections – is an extension of the passion. On a mission to promote modern and contemporary dance cultures, the 2023 rendition treads the boards and open spaces of Hong Kong in line with Le French May. Nine performances from leading dance talents include Crowd by Gisèle Vienne, Les Traceurs by Rachid Ouramdane and Save the Last Dance for Me by Alessandro Sciarroni. Prices and venues vary.

When: 5-21 May
Where: Various Venues
How much: Prices based on the show
Click here for more information.

Movie Tram

Trams encapsulate one of the most important identities of Hong Kong, so what better way to explore the city’s cinematic scene than through a ride on a Ding Ding? In a must-do activity as part of the inaugural Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival, this guided tram journey allows movie buffs to learn about the local film industry – its history, action behind the scenes, and events that inspired the cult films. Participants will also rattle by some key filming locations in the Central and Western districts. HK$100.. Pcf.gov.hk

When: 6-21 May
Where: Hong Kong Island
How much: HK$100
Click here for more information.

Il Trovatore

Composed by Giuseppe Verdi in 1853, Il Trovatore is adored by opera aficionados and appreciated by critics for its complex, moving and melancholic plot. Opera Hong Kong rises to the task of portraying tragic elements like child sacrifice and fatal curses in this classic work from an Italian libretto by Salvadore Cammarano. While the four acts are staged in the original language, English and Chinese surtitles allow full immersion in the performance for non-Italian speakers.

When: 11-14 May
Where: Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui
How much: From HK$220
Click here for more information.

Affordable Art Fair

Affordable Art Fair has built its reputation by making art accessible to both enthusiasts and collectors. Visitors can discover art pieces priced at HK$1,000 and also ones that are valued at HK$100,000. Representing artists from Hong Kong and overseas, the art fair has even greater resonance this year since it celebrates its 10th anniversary. In addition to viewing inspiring cutting-edge works, interactive experiences such as tours and workshops immerse participants in a less elitist art world.

When: 18-21 May
Where: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai
How much: From HK$180
Click here for more information.

Ice Tribe – Breathwork and Ice Bath

If you are happy to jump cold into every new wellness experience, then an Ice Tribe session by Primal Breathwork is definitely one you will embrace. Just as the name suggests, participants immerse themselves in ice-cold water as they follow the breathing-technique instructions of a certified breath specialist. The two-hour breathwork exercise, held monthly, is said to do wonders for your mental and physical health and help you manage stress levels too. From HK$400.. Primalbw.com

When: 13 May
Where: XP Fitness Hub, Central
How much: HK$400
Click here for more information.

Also Read: The A To Z Of Cold Water Therapy – Everything You Should Know About This Recovery Method

Treasure Tour (Hello) in Hong Kong

Fourth-generation K-pop group Treasure is on a three-month tour of Asia, and Hong Kong is one of their eight-city stops. Given that the 10-member idol group under YG Entertainment has set the music scene alight in such a short period, the Hong Kong concert is sure to be a (fan) frenzied affair. Known as the Treasure Makers, the boy band’s followers will be gearing up to sing along to all the latest releases and, of course, enact the dance moves of Treasure’s viral hit, DARARI.

When: 20 May
Where: AsiaWorld Arena
How much: From HK$699
Click here for more information.

What to do and see in Hong Kong this October

October is such a fun month, isn’t it? The weather is perfect (not too hot, not too cold) and there is a lot of festivity in the air. For Hong Kongers, not only is there the Mid-Autumn Festival at the beginning of the month, but also a horde of events throughout the month. Whether you are a music lover, a food aficionado or a sports freak, there’s something for everyone this October.

ABBA Tribute Show

Tribute group ABBA MANIA returns to Hong Kong, which means it’s time to break out the flared trousers and have the time of your life. Recreating the final 1979 concert of its sensational Swedish namesake, Abba Mania will take audiences on a vibrant journey through song and dance.

28-29 October
Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
1, Gloucester Road, Wan Chai
HK$295-HK$695
lunchbox-productions.com

Marco Polo Bierfest

For its 25th consecutive year, Marco Polo Hong Kong brings gourmands the most authentic German beer and cuisine. With a view overlooking Victoria Harbour, guests can expect a range of traditional German weissbier and dunkel.
Expect things to take a turn for the sillier as the festival features performances from the Notenhobler Band – the official Marco Polo Bierfest band since 1994. Rumour has it that one of the staples in their musical repertoire is the Chicken Dance.

20 October-11 November
Viewing platform, Level 6, Marco Polo Hong Kong
Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
HK$120-HK$280
gbfhk.com

The Roots of Flamenco

The living tradition of Flamenco arrives in Hong Kong with a world tour featuring two of the art form’s biggest proponents, Sonia Olla and Ismael Fernández.
Flamenco’s “Golden Couple”, whose performances New York Times critic Brian Seibert called “a furnace of earthy sensuality”, will stage a two-day show with accompaniment from world-renowned pianist Chano Dominguez.

11-12 October, 8pm
Lecture Hall, Sheung Wan
Civic Centre
HK$300-HK$580
rootsofflamenco.com

The Naked Magicians

Aussie comedy veterans The Naked Magicians return to Hong Kong this month with their critically acclaimed live show featuring full-frontal illusions and hilarious innuendo. The dashing duo performs an array of classic magic routines while stripping down to nothing but top hats and capes. Decidedly R-rated, the show guarantees plenty of laughs on your next group date.

25-27 October, 8pm
Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
1, Gloucester Road,
Wan Chai
HK$395-HK$595
nakedmagicians.com

Verdi’s Aϊda

Celebrations commemorating the 20th anniversary of the HKSAR’s establishment continue this month with the arrival of Giuseppe Verdi’s Aϊda. Notable for its four-act structure and central place in the operatic canon, this production is the result of a new collaboration between the Shanghai Opera House and Opera Hong Kong.
China’s brightest contributors to the operatic arts are represented, with singers He Hui and Hao Jiang Tian among them. Aficionados of Verdi’s works can also expect an exciting accompaniment harnessing the talents of mainland China’s best orchestras, including the Suzhou Symphony Orchestra.

10-15 October, 7:30pm
Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
HK$150-HK$1,080
operahongkong.org

Tennis Open 2017

The atmosphere is thick with anticipation as some of the biggest names in professional women’s tennis prepare to return to Hong Kong for the 2017 WTA Tour. Seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams is joined by former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki, in addition to a host of other leading players from the Asia-Pacific region. Be sure to catch a few of the tournament’s first and qualifying rounds, as admission is free on a first-come first-served basis.

7-15 October
Victoria Park,
Causeway Bay
HK$160-HK$880
hktennisopen.hk

Curtain Call: Preserving Cantonese opera is an uphill task

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Hong Kong is fighting an uphill battle to preserve one of its traditional art forms, Cantonese opera.

Shrill music fills the Lyric Theatre in Wan Chai on a Monday night as theatre-goers settle in for an evening of singing, acrobatics and acting. Moments earlier, the small gathering of elderly women and a sprinkling of men had turned the Lyric Theatre’s foyer into a hive of activity. Excited chatter filled the air as groups caught up with old friends, sipped on wine and perused the programme for that evening’s show, Prime Minister of Six States/Excerpts from the Paichangxi Repertoires of Cantonese Opera.

However, by the time the first ear-splitting musical note signalled the start of the opera, the crowd had barely managed to fill half of the 1,181-seat theatre.

In many ways, this scene is representative of the current state of Cantonese opera, a performance art propped up by a passionate but relatively small – and ageing – audience. How much longer, many wonder, can it survive?

On average, at least four Cantonese operas are reportedly staged in Hong Kong every day. UNESCO gave the art form “intangible cultural heritage” status in 2009, indicating that it should be protected and preserved.

In the early days, Cantonese opera was performed in temples or in bamboo sheds used as makeshift theatres. At the start of British rule in Hong Kong, street shows of Cantonese operas were typically held in these bamboo sheds, but the number of Cantonese operas held in the structures had dwindled from 158 in 1970 to 34 by 2010.

To get to the roots of Cantonese opera you need to go back even further to the reign of Emperor Jiajing (1522-1566) of the Ming Dynasty. The art form is a mixture of Yiyang and Kun tunes of the Ming Dynasty; the Xiqin and Han opera of the early Qing Dynasty; regional operas from the provinces of Jiangsu, Henan, Anhui, Hunan, Hebei and Guangxi; and local Guangdong music.

Another recent production, The White Silk Gown (new edition), was held at the new wing of Ko Shan Theatre in Hung Hom, and featured Yu Jiulin as the 20-year-old scholar Xu Jizu. Like many performers, Jiulin discovered Cantonese opera at a young age.

“I was born in Kunshan, where Kunqu originated,” he says, referring to the oldest form of Chinese opera. “Kunqu instructors held an audition at school and they picked me. I was still young at that time – only 16 years old.” His case is atypical. Tales of Chinese legend told through song, dance and elaborate costumes just don’t seem to resonate with audiences under 30 anymore. It’s one of the main reasons why people like Dr Dorothy Ng Fung-ping are pushing to expose Cantonese opera to children in an attempt to spark an interest early on.

In 2007, the University of Hong Kong started a programme to incorporate Cantonese opera into primary and secondary school curriculums. The project was spearheaded by Ng Fung-ping, who at the time was an assistant professor at the Faculty of Education.

Ng Fung-ping and her team trained teachers on how to integrate Cantonese opera into the curriculum, developed teaching materials and introduced students to texts and performances.

To date, more than 50 schools have incorporated the programme. The spread of Cantonese opera to new audiences will soon stretch beyond the classroom with the construction of the West Kowloon Cultural District. Situated on 40 hectares of reclaimed land on the harbour front, the arts hub will feature the Xiqu Centre, one of three major performing arts venues planned for the cultural district.

But even with the construction of world-class venues to host Cantonese operas, if younger generations only watch the performances and don’t actively participate in them, there’s still a real danger that opera could shrink from public view.

“My concern is how Hong Kong educates and develops top-class artists, because the top practitioners of Cantonese opera are getting old and some have passed on,” says Ng Fung-ping. “Even if we have the audience and the venues, if we do not have the right mechanisms to produce top-level performers, then we have a problem.”

Convincing children and young adults to step up and start performing could be tricky, though. Performers undergo specialist training to make sure they can do the unique gestures and singing styles that characterise Cantonese opera.

For many performers, this requires years of study in the mainland and Hong Kong, and some even take a degree course – the first of its kind in the world – at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts. Once performers have completed their training, the hard work is just beginning, as some operas can take years to go from planning phases to the stage.

For instance, it took three years of preparation to put on stage The White Silk Gown. Indeed, the movements of every cast member have to be carefully plotted and perfected, culminating in a performance that has been years in the making. When the opera draws to a close the audience slowly files out and once again the foyer is filled with chatter before people head home to share their experience with family members who might not turn away from the TV to listen.

Text: Andrew Scott

Plays, jazz, dance, ballet — What to watch at Hong Kong Arts Festival

Fans of the arts are in for a treat in the coming months with a slew of events coming to Hong Kong, including the Hong Kong Arts Festival which runs until 18 March.

Launched in 1973, the festival showcases opera, theatre, music, dance and more by leading local and international artists.

During this year’s festival, over 1,700 artists from around the world will stage 180 performances, including 16 new works receiving world premieres and 14 Asian premieres.

With so many shows to choose from, picking which ones to see is a bit daunting, unless you have the time to see them all.

To help you decide, we have picked six standout shows to keep even the fussiest of theatre-goers happy.

All My Sons / Theatre

Directed by Michael Rudman, who directed the Tony award-winning play Death of a Salesman on Broadway, All My Sons is based on true events and revolves around love, guilt and greed.

Like Death of a Salesman, All My Sons was written by Arthur Miller and exposes the corruption of the American dream.

Set during World War II, the play is based around the actions of Joe Keller, a self-made businessman who knowingly supplied the US air force with defective engines, resulting in the deaths of a number of pilots.

The consequences of Joe’s actions come back to haunt him in later life.

Venue: Lyric Theatre, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

Dates: March 3,4,5,7,8,9,10,11

Terri Lyne Carrington’s Mosaic Project:Love and Soul/ Jazz

Do you like Jazz? How about love songs, R&B and soul classics? American drummer Terri Lyne Carrington heads a team of top jazz instrumentalists in a programme featuring all of the above.

Terri’s set features original compositions, along with homages to Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Luther Vandross, Bill Withers and more.

Terri has played with Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock, Al Jarreau, Carlos Santana, Joni Mitchell and Yellowjackets.

Venue: Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Dates: February 24,25

Emperor Wu of Han and His Jester Strategist/ Chinese Opera

With the tag line: “Behind every man of power is a man of wit”, Emperor Wu of Han and his Jester Strategist explores the relationship between Emperor Wu and the charismatic and quick-witted courtier Dongfang Shuo during the founding years of the Han dynasty.

The opera was written by Cantonese opera performer Loong Koon-tin, Lai Yiu-wai, and Chinese opera educator and actor Lau Shun.

Venue: Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall

Dates: March 4, 5

Arch 8 – Tetris/ Dance

A family-friendly performance, Arch 8 Tetris is based on the popular video game of the same name.

This dance performance, however, swaps blocks with human bodies, with four dancers from the Netherlands stacking, flipping and defying gravity to interlock their bodies into shapes.

The dance performance is interactive and audience members are invited to join in.

Venue: HKJC Amphitheatre, HKAPA

Dates: March 10,11

A Floating Family/ Theatre

A Floating Family is a trilogy of plays featuring some of Hong Kong’s brightest stars. The plays are based around three pivotal moments in the lives of the Wongs.

A Floating Family portrays four siblings and their extended family over three dinners in the course of two decades. The plays follow the family as they deal with political, economic and social changes in Hong Kong.

Venue: Theatre HK, City Hall

Dates: February 24,25,26. March 1,2,3,4,5,8,9,10,11,15,16,17,18,19

Bayerisches Staatsballett (Bavarian State Ballet) La Bayadère/ Dance

The Bavarian State Ballet makes its ﬁrst full-company visit to Hong Kong with this dance performance in an imagined ancient India.

Spectacular sets and gorgeous costumes evoke an exotic world in which colour and beauty abound.

Also, La Bayadère contains one of the most famous scenes in ballet, ‘The Kingdom of the Shades’ — a procession of white-costumed ballerinas dancing across a moonlit stage.

Venue: Grand Theatre, HK Cultural Centre

Dates: February 17,18,19

For more information on Hong Kong Arts Festival, visit: www.hongkongartsfestival.org

All photos from www.hongkongartsfestival.org

Written by Andrew Scott