Launch of Hong Kong Arts Festival Foundation and Hong Kong Arts Festival 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner
(27 October 2022, Hong Kong) The Hong Kong Arts Festival held the Launching Ceremony of the Hong Kong Arts Festival Foundation and Hong Kong Arts Festival 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner on 25 October 2022 (Tuesday) at the Hong Kong Palace Museum. The Honourable John KC Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.Launched in 1973, the Hong Kong Arts Festival is a major international arts festival committed to enriching the cultural life of the city. Every year, the Festival presents leading local and international artists in all genres of the performing arts.Mr Victor Cha, Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, was pleased to announce the launch of the Hong Kong Arts Festival Foundation and thanked the Founding Patrons for their generous support. “The Foundation aims to support the long-term development of the Festival and enable the Festival to implement longer-term projects in a more stable financial environment, helping to consolidate Hong Kong's status as an international cultural hub.”Chief Executive The Hon John KC Lee congratulated the Hong Kong Arts Festival on its 50th anniversary and launching of the Hong Kong Arts Festival Foundation. He mentioned that “here and now” would be a good start to the government’s endeavours to “expedite Hong Kong's progression into an arts and cultural hub connecting Hong Kong with all parts of the world”, as highlighted in the Policy Address, (“now” referring to Hong Kong Arts Festival’s entering into the second half of its centenary, and “here” referring to the location of the Gala Dinner, the Hong Kong Palace Museum).At the Launching Ceremony, the Founding Patrons of the Hong Kong Arts Festival Foundation received souvenir plaques from the Chief Executive. Founding Patrons of the Foundation include:Lead Founding Patrons: Mr Thomas Chan; Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation; PCCW; The Wharf GroupMajor Founding Patrons: YF Life Insurance International Ltd.; ZA BANKFounding Patrons: Dr Raymond Chan; Tan Sri Dato’ David Chiu; Mr Silas Chou; Mr and Mrs Canning and Eliza Fok; E.M. Fung Foundation Limited; Ms Pansy Ho; King’s Flair International (Holdings) Limited; Dr Elina Leung; Dr Stephen Suen; Ms Cissy Pao and Mr Shinichiro WatariOther Patrons: KS & Feili Lo Foundation; Dr Dennis T L SunAt the same occasion, the Festival also celebrated its 50th anniversary. During the past 50 years, the Festival has not only brought top-notch artists from around the world to Hong Kong, but has also nurtured and supported many outstanding local artists. Among them were Ms Louise Kwong, who performed O mio babbino caro from Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, as well as Mr Wang Zhiliang and Ms Lin Yingshi, who performed an excerpt from Tong Tik-sang’s renowned Cantonese opera The Legend of the Purple Hairpin. The 4 Cs, composed of Mr Victor Cha, Dr Anthony Chow, Mr Edward Cheng and Dr Moses Cheng, sang moving golden oldies for the guests as well. Proceeds of the Gala Dinner will be used to support the Festival’s expenses for the 2022/23 financial year.
Mr Victor Cha, Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, gives a welcome speech. Download Photo
The Hon John KC Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, congratulates the Hong Kong Arts Festival on its 50th anniversary and the launch of the Hong Kong Arts Festival Foundation. Download Photo
The Hon John KC Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (centre) and Mr Victor Cha, Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Festival with the Founding Patrons of Hong Kong Arts Festival Foundation. Download Photo
Cake-cutting ceremony to celebrate the launch of Hong Kong Arts Festival Foundation and the Festival’s 50th anniversary Download Photo
Ms Louise Kwong performs O mio babbino caro. Download Photo
Mr Wang Zhiliang and Ms Lin Yingshi perform an excerpt from The Legend of the Purple Hairpin. Download Photo
The 4 Cs, comprising Dr Moses Cheng, Mr Edward Cheng, Dr Anthony Chow and Mr Victor Cha sing popular songs for guests. Download Photo
Vote of Thanks by Mrs Betty Cheng, Chairman of the Development Committee of the Hong Kong Arts Festival. Download Photo
ABOUT THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVALLaunched in 1973, the Hong Kong Arts Festival is a major international arts festival committed to enriching the cultural life of the city. In February and March every year, the Festival presents leading local and international artists from all genres of the performing arts, giving equal importance to great traditions and contemporary creations. The Festival also commissions and produces work in theatre, music, chamber opera and contemporary dance by Hong Kong’s own creative talents and emerging artists, many of which have had successful subsequent runs in Hong Kong and overseas. Every year, the Festival also presents over 250 “PLUS” and educational activities that offer diverse arts experiences to the community as well as tertiary, secondary and primary school students. In addition, through the “No Limits” project co-presented with The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the Festival strives to create an inclusive space for people with different abilities to share the joy of the arts together.(For more information about the Hong Kong Arts Festival, please visit: www.hk.artsfestival.org.)Media EnquiryFor further enquiries, please contact Ms Katy Cheng, Marketing Director, at katy.cheng@hkaf.org, or Ms Stephanie Cheung, Deputy Marketing Manager (Tel. 2828 4938/9758 5208) stephanie.cheung@hkaf.org.