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City Lights, by the National Ballet of Japan, takes on Charlie Chaplin’s 1931 film of the same name. Photo: Takeshi Kanou
World of performing arts

Classical dance meets comedy with a ballet spin on Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights

In bringing Charlie Chaplin’s 1931 masterpiece to the stage, the National Ballet of Japan challenges perceptions of classical dance.

Art

A real-life Tang dynasty tragedy is the focus of this popular AI microdrama

What to do in Hong Kong

5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend, October 23-25

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SCMP Highlights

Chinese runner’s 20,000km quest, Hong Kong comfort food: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From how AI transforms microdramas to designer Kim Jones’ affinity for Hong Kong, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Ria Xi traverses the mountainous Duku Highway in Xinjiang, China. The Chinese ultrarunner began her 20,000km trek across Eurasia from Vladivostok, Russia, to Lisbon, Portugal, on May 1, 2026. Photo: Ruzai Hao
Ria Xi traverses the mountainous Duku Highway in Xinjiang, China. The Chinese ultrarunner began her 20,000km trek across Eurasia from Vladivostok, Russia, to Lisbon, Portugal, on May 1, 2026. Photo: Ruzai Hao
Art

This artist loves history and gaming. His new work lets visitors take the controls

For his Chanel Gateway Commission at Dib Bangkok, Nawin Nuthong combines historical research with his passion for video games.

Performing arts in Hong Kong

Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Florez thinks opera has a bright future in Asia

Juan Diego Florez joins the Hong Kong Philharmonic for a night of bel canto arias and songs from Spanish zarzuela musical theatre.

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Performing arts in Hong Kong

Review | Hong Kong Ballet’s Dunhuang: In Search of Light is luminous but flawed

Dunhuang: In Search of Light dazzles with visuals and music but struggles with narrative depth.

Gouta Seki (centre, front) with Hong Kong Ballet dancers on stage for Dunhuang: In Search of Light during its premiere on October 16, 2026. Photo: Conrad Dy-Liacco
Gouta Seki (centre, front) with Hong Kong Ballet dancers on stage for Dunhuang: In Search of Light during its premiere on October 16, 2026. Photo: Conrad Dy-Liacco
Books and literature

His family felt silenced after Sri Lanka’s Easter bombings. He tells their story

Hong Kong-based Sri Lankan Nifraz Rifaz’s novel Paper Plane explores the trauma faced by Muslims in the aftermath of the 2019 attacks.

Art

Why the newest Fotografiska photo museum is in Shenzhen

Swedish photography museum Fotografiska opened its second Chinese location in Shenzhen in October, expanding the city’s cultural reach.

Art

A missionary’s stories of the Kowloon Walled City live on at a new exhibition

Jackie Pullinger’s journey to the Kowloon Walled City, as well as art by those helped by St Stephen’s Society, can be seen at Central Market.

A rooftop view of Kowloon Walled City, Hong Kong. British missionary Jacqueline “Jackie” Pullinger's journey from there to the work she does with St Stephen’s Society will form an upcoming exhibition at Central Market. Photo: Jackie Pullinger
Art

Jakarta Biennale, Art Jakarta – both tell Indonesia’s story, haze and all

The city saw two events open on the same weekend, both highlighting its art scene and drawing attention to socio- and geopolitical anxieties.

Yadgari (2026), by The Archipelago, at the 2026 Jakarta Biennale, which runs until November 24. Photo: Jakarta Biennale
Yadgari (2026), by The Archipelago, at the 2026 Jakarta Biennale, which runs until November 24. Photo: Jakarta Biennale
What to do in Hong Kong

5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this long weekend, October 16-19

Get yourself inked up, watch a ballet performance, indulge in an immersive yoga programme, or catch a road movie this holiday weekend.

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Performing arts in Hong Kong

Review | From Jumbo Floating Restaurant to neon, nostalgia aplenty at art-tech show

Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo’s opening showcase evoked the city’s vanishing heritage but couldn’t tie them together.

Art

Rarely seen Van Gogh landscape on show in Hong Kong ahead of New York auction

The US$450 million Blaquier-Arrieta Collection, including Van Gogh’s Chataigniers en fleurs, is currently on view at Sotheby’s Hong Kong.

Chataigniers en fleurs (1890), by Vincent van Gogh, with an estimated value of US$180 million, at Sotheby’s Maison, in Central, Hong Kong, on October 13, 2026. The painting will go under the hammer at Sotheby’s New York in November. Photo: Sam Tsang
Books and literature

The sailors, artists and stories behind Hong Kong’s tattoo tradition

A photobook by Jimmy Shy and Yu Chang traces Hong Kong’s distinctive post-war tattoo style, while challenging the triad stereotype.

Tattoo artist Jimmy Shy (left) and photographer Yu Chang took to the streets of Hong Kong to photograph people with tattoos. Their work has been made into a photobook, Hong Kong Traditional Tattoo. Photo: courtesy of Jimmy Shy
Tattoo artist Jimmy Shy (left) and photographer Yu Chang took to the streets of Hong Kong to photograph people with tattoos. Their work has been made into a photobook, Hong Kong Traditional Tattoo. Photo: courtesy of Jimmy Shy
Performing arts in Hong Kong

Review | Opera Hong Kong’s Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci light up the stage

Cav/Pag captivates with vibrant staging and stellar performances, showcasing verismo pairing’s raw emotion, gripping tales.

Art

From its Chinese architect to manga, how Asian influences abound in Lucas Museum

At the new Los Angeles museum designed by Beijing-born architect Ma Yansong, Asian touches are everywhere.

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Art

Nearly 80, Korean artist Kang Myonghi talks about ‘What Remains to be Seen’

Kang Myonghi explores time and emotion in her Hong Kong exhibition through her abstract interpretations of natural landscapes.

Kang Myonghi in her Jeju studio. The Korean artist’s solo exhibition runs at the Villepin art gallery in Central, Hong Kong, until November 15, 2026. Photo: Villepin, Kang Myonghi
Kang Myonghi in her Jeju studio. The Korean artist’s solo exhibition runs at the Villepin art gallery in Central, Hong Kong, until November 15, 2026. Photo: Villepin, Kang Myonghi
Chinese culture

Why the Dajiao Festival on Hong Kong’s Kat O island is held once every 10 years

As Kat O welcomes visitors to its Dajiao Festival, heritage advocates hope to reconnect younger generations with the island’s traditions.

Art

Fit for an emperor: inside the imperial workshops that served the Forbidden City

A Hong Kong Palace Museum exhibition showcases 157 treasures produced by some of China’s finest artisans who worked in the palace’s ateliers.

World of performing arts

What to expect from WestK Performing Arts Centre’s inaugural line-up

The WestK Performing Arts Centre is slated to open in Hong Kong in 2027, with a Bruce Lee ballet and Wong Fei-hung dance drama on the cards.

Hong Kong Ballet artistic director Septime Webre at a press conference to announce the line-up for the WestK Performing Arts Centre’s debut season, at Freespace, West Kowloon Cultural District, on October 8, 2026. Photo: Zabrina Lo
What to do in Hong Kong

5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend, October 9-11

A story-led exhibition, a fundraising cabaret and a mental health awareness campaign are just a few things to look out for this weekend.

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The satay beef short rib bao is part of May Chow’s month-long residency, one of this weekend's recommended highlights in Hong Kong, at Regent Hong Kong. Photo: Regent Hong Kong
The satay beef short rib bao is part of May Chow’s month-long residency, one of this weekend's recommended highlights in Hong Kong, at Regent Hong Kong. Photo: Regent Hong Kong
Art

Singapore-born British artist Kim Lim’s legacy explored in Hong Kong exhibition

At the show’s opening, Kim Lim’s sons reflect on her minimalist sculptures and photography, and growing up with two artist parents.

Art

How an architect is using art and technology to preserve Toronto Chinatown’s history

Linda Zhang is working to raise public awareness about Toronto’s Chinatown through exhibitions, writing workshops and ceramics.

What to do in Hong Kong

5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend, October 2-4

An ice cream festival, yoga by the pool and a photo exhibition on Hong Kong’s neon lights are among the picks this weekend.

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Nathan Road in 1999. The photo by Keith Macgregor is among the images on display at "City of Lights", a free exhibition at Blue Lotus Gallery in Sheung Wan. Photo: Keith Macgregor
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