Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yunchan Lim and others at the 54th Hong Kong Arts Festival
Tradition meets tech as stages both real and virtual host dance, music and immersive magic
The kaleidoscopic Art Month has arrived in Hong Kong, with the bulk of the performing arts events taking place under the banner of the 54th Hong Kong Arts Festival. Running until March 30, the non-profit festival features more than 1,100 artists and 170 performances organised under the theme of peace, courage and resilience – a fitting foil for the times we find ourselves in.
Also not to be missed is Aristophanes’ Lysistrata, an original Chinese-language adaptation of the Greek comedy that remains pointedly relevant in its exploration of gender and conflict. Meanwhile, Québécois collective The 7 Fingers presents Duel Reality, a Shakespearean take on the circus arts that replaces spectacle with nuanced storytelling and acrobatic precision.
Beyond the proscenium arch, the Festival PLUS programme seeks to integrate the arts into the fabric of the city. Guided walks through the literary history of Sheung Wan and visits to Hong Kong’s remaining fishing communities offer a grounded counterpoint to the international stage shows.