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Hong Kong culture
Opinion
SCMP Editorial
SCMP Editorial

EditorialHong Kong’s celebration of art and culture sends a powerful message

At a time of geopolitical complexity, Art Basel opens in a city nurturing local artists, collaborating with international institutions and fostering understanding

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A visitor poses for a photo with Hu Yinping’s Potatoes Grow on Trees at the preview of Art Basel at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on March 25. Photo: Eugene Lee
SCMP Editorial
Hong Kong’s month of celebrating art and culture is drawing to a close, but promises to end on a high. Art Basel, the prestigious international fair, opens on Friday and features 240 galleries from 41 countries and regions. It is the catalyst for a wide variety of other art events in March.

The fair brings together artists, curators, galleries and other enthusiasts, fuelling the process of cultural exchange.

A new five-year deal between the government and Art Basel is, therefore, a significant development. The agreement not only secures the city’s future as the only host of the event in the region, but also provides for expansion in scale and scope.
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New formats are to be explored and steps taken to ensure the fair is supported by top-level cultural performances. Collaboration will extend beyond the annual showpiece.

Art Basel is a key component in the city’s drive to become a leading cultural hub bridging East and West. It also supports another priority: attracting high-end tourists.

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The city was once known as a cultural desert. But its standing as a centre for the arts and art trading has grown dramatically over the years.

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