Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the opening ceremony of Hong Kong Week 2025@Seoul in Seoul today (September 26):
 
Deputy Minister Yu (Deputy Minister for Public Communication, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Republic of Korea, Mr Yu Byung-chae), Chief Executive Mr Park (Chief Executive Officer of National Theater of Korea, Mr Park In-gun), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
      
     Good evening, Annyeonghaseyo (Korean: Hello). Welcome to the opening ceremony of Hong Kong Week 2025@Seoul. I am absolutely delighted to be here with you to share and experience the unique cultural glamour of Hong Kong, right here in the heart of Seoul.
      
     Throughout my career – from transport to tourism, sports and culture – my focus has always been on connecting people. I have always believed that the most empowering journeys are not just about physical experiences, but about the sentimental, transcendent memories we create. This evening, we gather at this beautiful destination to do just that, to foster shared cultural aspirations that will become our lasting memories.
      
     Visiting Seoul feels familiar; I sense a kindred spirit in this dynamic metropolis. Our two cities share a common rhythm – a passion for creativity, reinvention, and for telling stories that move us. Whether it is a K-drama that tugs at your heartstrings or a Hong Kong film that lingers in your memory long after the credits roll, our two cities know how to create stories that resonate far beyond our borders.
      
     Since signing the Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Co-operation in 2004, Seoul and Hong Kong have built more than partnership; we have developed a deep friendship. Many of you here have brought immense joy to Hong Kong through the "Festive Korea" events each autumn. Now, it is our genuine pleasure to return that warmth with Hong Kong Week in Seoul.
      
     Hong Kong Week in Seoul is more than a simple showcase; it is an invitation for all of us to experience Hong Kong in full dimension. Through the horizontal lens of dance, music, film, fashion, visual arts and comics, and the vertical depth of our pop culture, contemporary creations, and shared nostalgia, we offer you a vibrant portrait of our city.
      
     Cantopop ballads and the golden age of Hong Kong cinema have profoundly influenced my own life. I know firsthand how culture lives in and shapes the human heart. That is why I am so excited for you to experience it all: the elegance of our orchestras, the energy of our dancers, our cinematic classics, and the neon-soaked soundscapes of our city.
      
     Today's opening performance by the Hong Kong Ballet exemplifies this spirit. They will present a reimagined Romeo and Juliet in 1960s Hong Kong, blending classical ballet with the fluid power of kung fu. It is bold, poetic, and unmistakably Hong Kong. Our unique strength lies in our deep-rooted, East-meets-West culture.
      
     Throughout the festival, you will see this fusion brought to life by our incredible arts groups – from the Hong Kong Dance Company and City Contemporary Dance Company to the Labora Terry Arts. You will hear it in the music of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and the Asian Modern Symphony Orchestra. And you will feel it in the creative sparks flying between students from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and Sungkyunkwan University.
      
     For film and visual arts lovers, we offer a vibrant mix, from Chinese paintings and comics to a cinematic tribute under the stars at ImagineLand@Seoul. You will be treated to iconic soundtracks from both Hong Kong films and K-dramas, culminating in the screening of An Autumn’s Tale, a timeless classic that is still touching the soft parts of the audience’s hearts in the best way. And with extension activities such as post-screening talk, we hope to give you a deeper understanding of Hong Kong cinema.
      
     But we are going beyond the screen. We are bringing Hong Kong film and fashion together in the Local Power exhibition and fashion show. We invite you to let your imagination take flight on a creative journey that fuses AI technology with pop music of Hong Kong and Korea, featuring designs from Hong Kong, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Korean designers – showcasing the innovation and unique style of Asia's new generation. 
      
     Speaking of storytelling, I must mention our Hong Kong Comics and Culture Exhibition. We will showcase works from different eras, featuring classic Hong Kong comic characters and crossover projects that blend media formats, displaying the martial arts theme and distinctive humour that define Hong Kong comics.
      
     Beyond the stages and screens, I hope this festival inspires you to see Hong Kong for yourself. I hope you will come to walk through our distinct districts, sip Hong Kong-style milk tea in a cha chaan teng, and take in our skyline from the Star Ferry. Our culture lives not just in theatres, but in our streets, our food, our people and even in our newest Kai Tak Sports Park, the Main Stadium of which can host 50 000 spectators under a retractable roof.
      
     Before I close, I must extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea, and to every partner and artist for your support and contribution. Without you, this vision could not have become a reality.
      
     I wish Hong Kong Week 2025@Seoul a resounding success. Now, let us enjoy this evening together, and celebrate the bridges we are building – between our cities, between our cultures, and between our hearts.
      
     Kamsahamnida (Korean: Thank you). Thank you.

Ends/Friday, September 26, 2025
Issued at HKT 19:45

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