New York Celebrates Hong Kong 2008 Festival launches
On October 1, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETONY), the representative office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, announced the launch of the New York Celebrates Hong Kong 2008 Festival – a month-long celebration of Hong Kong’s creativity and economic vitality held throughout New York City.
Director of HKETONY Monica Chen said, “New York Celebrates Hong Kong will lead the New York community to experience the diverse culture of Hong Kong, which is a legacy of its colorful past and the vitality of its present.”
The festival brings internationally acclaimed Hong Kong artists for a series of events. “In a showcase of their talents, and through arts exhibits, opera and dance performances and educational symposiums, the festival will offer an opportunity for New York audiences to learn about the evolving ‘modern heritage’ of our continuously vibrant and transformative city,” she said.
The festival will encompass a variety of events, including:
- A performance by the Cantonese opera troupe Ming Chee Sing.
- Lectures and workshop discussions on Cantonese opera at educational institutes in New York City.
- An international symposium in the Skyscraper Museum examining the dramatic vertical urbanism of Hong Kong and exploring comparisons with New York City.
- A sophisticated modern dance performance by the Hong Kong City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC).
- A discussion by internationally acclaimed designer Eric Chan and architect/designer Calvin Tsao on design in a global environment.
- A gala dinner featuring exquisite Hong Kong cuisine.
“The Cantonese opera performance will provide an insightful look at the art form of Cantonese opera, which has its origin dating back to the Chinese Tang Dynasty,” said Ms. Chen. “The workshops that run alongside and hosted by veteran performers will enable appreciation of the art form from a deeper level – its history, its form of presentation, costume, makeup, signs and connotations.
“The contemporary dance performance will illustrate the level of creativity of modern presentation, which is boundless in all dimensions. The lectures will add a broader perspective to how well our talents have been faring in the international arena.
“The festival will also avail audiences of a more academic perspective to subjects such as the dramatic vertical urbanism of Hong Kong as compared to New York City.”
Ms. Chen added that New York City is an ideal venue to celebrate the best of Hong Kong arts because both cities represent a perfect blend of cultural heritage, economic stature and contemporary vision.
The festival is expected to maintain a high level of visibility. During the festival period, the jumbotron at Times Square will broadcast a 30-second vignette showcasing the vibrant city of Hong Kong as it is today. Yellow cabs running around town will also carry the vignette.
Demonstrating Hong Kong’s commitment to nurturing and developing its cultural and creative industries, two HKSAR principal officials will be in New York to officiate at various events.
Hong Kong Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing will officiate at the New York premiere of the “Hong Kong Panorama: Rhapsody of Cantonese Opera” by the Ming Chee Sing Chinese Opera Company at Queens Theatre in the Park.
Also, Hong Kong Secretary for Development Carrie Lam will officiate at the lecture on “Asian Arts and Culture – A New Vision: Chinese Spirit, Global Design” and reception organized by the Hong Kong Design Centre and the Asia Society. She will also speak at a plenary session at an international symposium on October 16, in conjunction with the “Vertical Cities: Hong Kong/New York” exhibition.
New York Celebrates Hong Kong 2008 is hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York, and supported by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
Many of the events taking place are free to the public, but registration is required. For more information about the events, please visit: www.newyorkcelebrateshongkong.com.
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