From May 18-31, Chicagoans got the chance to take a closer look at Hong Kong via the “This is Hong Kong” exhibition at the Chicago Cultural Center.

Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York Monica Chen said the exhibition showcased Hong Kong in all dimensions, as encapsulated under the motto, “Hong Kong is Cosmopolitan, Enterprising, Innovative, Leader and Connected.”

“Lively images bring to life the vibrant Hong Kong that is ever-transformative and developing,” said Ms. Chen. “Having had the privilege of a rich and eventful history, Hong Kong is a meeting place of East and West, where its community thrives on the diversity of a mixed culture. It is this diversity that has made Hong Kong a place of its own that is not paralleled anywhere.”

The exhibition ran in conjunction with the “Contemporary Hong Kong through a Chicago Lens” exhibition at Daley Plaza. That project told the story of five students’ journey to Hong Kong through such media as photographs, video and blog posts.

Both exhibitions were part of the trade office’s Hong Kong Comes to Chicago 2009 Festival. The monthlong festival celebrated Hong Kong’s creativity, entrepreneurship and cultural and economic vitality through an array of art and cultural events, ranging from a film series and music concert to gallery talks.