Chinese Culture Festival 2025 opens today (with photos)
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In a video speech addressing the opening ceremony, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said that the Government will fully leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under the "one country, two systems" principle to promote outstanding traditional Chinese culture globally and ride on Hong Kong's international network in telling good stories of China to the world. Mr Lee pointed out that an important strategic direction featured in the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development, published by the Government last year, is on the promotion of the profound traditional Chinese culture. He is confident that the Chinese Culture Festival will become an annual signature cultural event in Hong Kong, presenting the rich and vibrant Chinese culture to audiences through innovative approaches. He said that the Government will continue to promote the essence of Chinese culture to citizens of Hong Kong and visitors from overseas and the Mainland, with a view to achieving "shaping tourism with cultural activities and promoting culture through tourism" and fostering the integration and mutual reinforcement of culture and tourism.
Officiating guests at the opening ceremony included the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Secretary General of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government (LOCPG) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Wang Songmiao; the Deputy Director General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the LOCPG in the HKSAR, Mr Li Shuguang; the Chairperson of the Working Group on Patriotic Education under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee and Legislative Council Member, Dr Starry Lee; the Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports, Mr Ma Fung-kwok; and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan.
The opening programme of this year's CCF staged tonight is a contemporary dance performance "Dongpo: Life in Poems", which is sponsored by the Agricultural Bank of China Limited Hong Kong Branch and performed by the China Oriental Performing Arts Group. Directed by internationally acclaimed choreographer and visual artist Shen Wei, the production is inspired by the poetry and life of Su Dongpo, a literary master in the Song dynasty. It revolves 12 of Su's poems that epitomise the poet's life philosophy, while reinterpreting Su's multifaceted legacy through contemporary dance. The production deeply integrates various fine traditional Chinese culture elements, such as poetry writing, traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy, seal engraving, guqin, Chinese opera and martial arts. By merging "cognitive essence" and "aesthetic realm", this approach is designed to transcend linguistic barriers, allowing audiences to explore Su's spiritual world through a contemporary lens. The audience gave rounds of warm applause for the splendid performance by main cast performers Su Peng and Liu Jie, outstanding young dancers from the China Oriental Song and Dance Troupe and the Meishan Song and Dance Theatre, as well as for guqin virtuoso and Professor of the Central Conservatory of Music Zhao Xiaoxia.
The programme also featured an open rehearsal under the "Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series" this afternoon at the Grand Theatre of the HKCC. Close to 400 primary and secondary school students and teachers as well as members of the community were invited to attend, free of charge. This session enabled them to appreciate the humanistic emotions conveyed in Su's poetry and embark on an artistic journey where "poetry embodies dance and dance incorporates poetry" in appreciating the beauty of traditional Chinese culture.
The thematic exhibition on "Dongpo: Life in Poems" is currently being held at the Foyer of the HKCC. Apart from introducing the concept and structure of the production, the exhibition also presents Shen's research notes and design sketches created during the creative process through photographs. Three paintings by Shen that were displayed on stage during the performance are featured in the exhibition. The exhibition will run until tomorrow (June 14). Admission is free and members of the public are welcome to visit.
The CCF aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public's national identity and cultural confidence. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from the Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. The CCF 2025 is held from June to September. Through different performing arts programmes in various forms and related extension activities, as well as community and school activities and more, the festival provides members of the public and visitors with more opportunities to enjoy distinctive programmes that showcase fine traditional Chinese culture, thereby facilitating patriotic education and contributing to the inheritance, transformation and development of traditional Chinese culture in Hong Kong. For more information about programmes and activities of the CCF 2025, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk.
Ends/Friday, June 13, 2025
Issued at HKT 22:20
Issued at HKT 22:20
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