Yo-Yo Ma, New York Philharmonic will perform in Hong Kong this year, leading star-studded return of city’s cultural scene during post-Covid recovery
- Authorities say they are reinviting overseas and mainland artists to city in bid to bring life back to industry which has suffered heavily during pandemic
- Push comes off back of major events including Clockenflap music festival earlier this month and Art Basel, which begins on Thursday
Renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the New York Philharmonic will return to Hong Kong this year as part of a series of star-studded events marking the “full resumption” of the city’s cultural scene after a lengthy hiatus during the coronavirus pandemic.
City authorities aimed to consolidate Hong Kong’s status as a bridge connecting the East and West by focusing on cultural exchanges between various countries and regions, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Vincent Liu Ming-kwong said on Wednesday.
“With a full return to normality this year, we are reinviting many overseas and mainland performing groups to Hong Kong. We hope to entrench our status as a hub for cultural exchanges between mainland China and the outside world,” he said.
The series of events will include a performance by the New York Philharmonic in July at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, marking the first time the ensemble has visited the city in 15 years.
Classical musician Ma will return in November for a duo recital with English pianist Kathryn Stott. He last performed in Hong Kong in 2016.
“During the pandemic, we never ceased communicating with the performing groups. Even with Yo-Yo Ma and the New York Philharmonic, we kept in touch all the time to see if they could come or stop by as they were touring,” said Fanny Au Kwan-yi, the department’s assistant director.
