- Agreements will pave the way for works of art and performances from all over the world to come to the city
- A free tram ride day will be held tomorrow for the public on all routes to explore Hong Kong Island and enjoy art and culture
The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority is poised to sign deals with 22 global institutions to cement Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West arts hub. Photo: HandoutHong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District Authority will sign deals with 22 institutions from around the world to cement its position as an East-meets-West arts hub.
The authority yesterday said it would sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with these institutions at a high-profile summit this month, paving the way for works of art and performances from all over the world to come to the city.
“The signing of MOUs with world-renowned arts and cultural institutions during the summit marks another important milestone for the arts hub as it embarks on a global journey of dynamic new partnerships and development opportunities,” the authority’s chairman, Henry Tang Ying-yen, said.
“We anticipate that the collaborations will take global arts and cultural discourse to a next level, sparking a new era of creativity and cultural connectivity for Hong Kong and reinforcing the authority’s vision of strengthening the city’s strategic role as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.”
The signatories include museums, conservation and art research institutions, art centres, film archives, theatres and theatre associations from France, Japan, Korea, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Britain and the United States, as well as cities on the mainland.
Among the institutions visiting Hong Kong are the UK’s Victoria and Albert Museum, Japan’s Tokyo National Museum, Qatar Museums, Singapore’s Asian Film Archive, and the China Theatre Association from the mainland.
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About 1,000 people have been invited to the International Cultural Summit on March 25 and 26. Officials from 10 of the world’s top 40 museums and arts hubs are expected to attend.
The summit will also showcase the city’s role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange as stipulated in China’s latest five-year plan.
Authority CEO Betty Fung Ching Suk-yee earlier said the summit would discuss how arts hubs shaped a city in social and economic aspects, and what technology, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, meant for the sector.
Half of the summit’s cost is sponsored by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau.
Lawmaker Johnny Ng Kit-Chong, who sits on the Legislative Council’s culture panel said the participation of prominent institutions at the summit could help to boost Hong Kong’s status as an international arts hub.
“It’s definitely positive for Hong Kong,” Ng said. “They can come to see our hardware such as at the West Kowloon Cultural District. “There has been very little opportunity for visitors to come to Hong Kong in the past few years because of the pandemic,” Ng said. “It’s easier now and can facilitate communication and connections. It’s a good platform for exchanges.”
He added that the leaders of these institutions could also experience first-hand the city’s role as an East-meets-West cultural hub. It would also enable them to experience Hong Kong’s very own achievements and developments in the cultural sector.
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The summit, along with a string of high-profile events kicking off this month, such as Art Basel and ComplexCon, is expected to attract thousands of visitors globally.
The government said it planned to offer free tram rides and Star Ferry trips, as well as hand out ice cream, as part of a big promotional push for the events designed to attract more tourists.
A free tram ride day will be held tomorrow for the public on all routes to explore Hong Kong Island and enjoy art and culture.
This year is the first that the government has grouped together a range of cultural events and programmes under the new “Art March” banner, and authorities have offered organisational and funding support over the period.
Art Basel, Asia’s biggest art fair, will bring 243 galleries to the city from around the world this year, up from 177 in 2023 and 130 the year before. Art Central, which runs alongside Art Basel, will be held between March 28 and 31, and return to its harbourfront site for the first time since 2019.