Labubu, Elmo, Doraemon to hit the water in Hong Kong cultural tourism mega-event
‘Extravaganza’ to feature inflatable global IP characters in Victoria Harbour, as well as parade and bazaar
Giant inflated versions of popular characters Labubu, Elmo, Grimace and Doraemon will float along Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour in October as part of one of the year’s largest cultural tourism events, which will also feature a water parade and bazaar.
The organiser, Hong Kong design studio AllRightsReserved (ARR), revealed on Saturday that the mega-event would include a number of intellectual property (IP) characters from around the world, such as Kaws, Snoopy and the Tolo yellow rubber duck.
Themed “Water Parade By AllRightsReserved at Victoria Harbour”, the event is described as a cultural tourism extravaganza and an unprecedented collaboration among global artists over IP characters.
ARR founder Lam Shu-kam said the event marked a breakthrough in overcoming geographic and brand limitations and was expected to attract not only locals but also overseas visitors.
“Hong Kong’s IP market is not big, but people are very loyal and familiar with their favourite,” Lam told the Post.
Between October 25 and November 1, Hong Kong artist Lung Ka-sing’s elfin Labubu; a crossover between American artist Kaws and Sesame Street’s Elmo; McDonald’s Grimace; and the Japanese manga creation Doraemon will be inflated and displayed in the waters off Tamar Park near government headquarters in Admiralty.
Kaws has turned Elmo’s eyes into crosses – the signature look of his Companion character. Kaws’s real name is Brian Donnelly.