Hong Kong arts district to sign deals with 22 global institutions to promote city’s status as East-meets-West cultural hub
- Deals with institutions from 11 countries such as France, Qatar and Singapore set to be signed at high-profile summit this month
- ‘We anticipate that the collaborations will take global arts and cultural discourse to the next level, sparking a new era of creativity and cultural connectivity for Hong Kong,’ official says
The authority on Thursday said it would sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the institutions at a high-profile summit this month, paving the way for works of art and performances from all over the world to come to the city.
“The signing of MOUs with world-renowned arts and cultural institutions during the summit marks another important milestone for the arts hub as it embarks on a global journey of dynamic new partnerships and development opportunities,” the authority’s chairman, Henry Tang Ying-yen, said.
“We anticipate that the collaborations will take global arts and cultural discourse to a next level, sparking a new era of creativity and cultural connectivity for Hong Kong and reinforcing the authority’s vision of strengthening the city’s strategic role as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.”
The signatories include museums, conservation and art research institutions, art centres, film archives, theatres and theatre associations from France, Japan, Korea, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Britain and the United States, as well as cities in mainland China.
Among the institutions visiting Hong Kong are the UK’s Victoria and Albert Museum, Japan’s Tokyo National Museum, Qatar Museums, Singapore’s Asian Film Archive, and the China Theatre Association from the mainland.
Crowds flock to ‘Chubby Hearts Hong Kong’. But what are the economic benefits?
About 1,000 people have been invited to the International Cultural Summit on March 25 and 26. Officials from 10 of the world’s top 40 museums and arts hubs are expected to attend.
The summit will also showcase the city’s role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange as stipulated in China’s latest five-year plan.
Half of the summit’s cost is sponsored by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau.
Lawmaker Johnny Ng Kit-Chong, who sits on the Legislative Council’s culture panel said the participation of prominent institutions at the summit could help to boost Hong Kong’s status as an international arts hub.
“It’s definitely positive for Hong Kong,” Ng said. “They can come to see our hardware such as at the West Kowloon Cultural District.
“There has been very little opportunity for visitors to come to Hong Kong in the past few years because of the pandemic. It’s easier now and can facilitate communication and connections. It’s a good platform for exchanges.”
He added that the leaders of these institutions could also experience first-hand the city’s role as an East-meets-West cultural hub. It would also enable them to experience Hong Kong’s very own achievements and developments in the cultural sector.
The summit, along with a string of high-profile events kicking off this month, such as Art Basel and ComplexCon, is expected to attract thousands of visitors globally.
The government said it planned to offer free tram rides and Star Ferry trips, as well as hand out ice cream, as part of a big promotional push for the events designed to attract more tourists.
A free tram ride day will be held on Saturday for the public on all routes to explore Hong Kong Island and enjoy the art and culture.
This year is the first that the government has grouped together a range of cultural events and programmes under the new “Art March” banner, and authorities have offered organisational and funding support over the period.
Dior fashion show and ‘Chubby Hearts’ among events coming to Hong Kong
Art Basel, Asia’s biggest art fair, will bring 243 galleries to Hong Kong from around the world this year, up from 177 in 2023 and 130 the year before.
Art Central, which runs alongside Art Basel, will run between March 28 and 31, and return to its harbourfront site for the first time since 2019.
Organisers said last year 86,000 visitors attended Art Basel and 40,000 went to Art Central.
Pop culture festival ComplexCon will also make its Asia debut from March 22 to 24 at AsiaWorld-Expo with the event expected to welcome 30,000 guests to sample street styles, fashion footwear, art, food and music.
