On the Agenda
In a landmark event for regional cultural integration, Hong Kong is set to host the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Culture and Arts Festival for the first time from October 19 to November 24, according to the organizers. Under the theme “Integration in Diversity – Power and Possibilities,” the festival aims to showcase the rich cultural tapestry of the GBA and foster deeper collaboration among its cities.
Presented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, and the Macao Special Administrative Region, this year’s festival will span all 11 GBA cities, featuring an impressive lineup of over 260 performances, exhibitions, and cultural exchanges.
The opening event is set to be a highlight of the festival. It will premiere “Sound River,” a symphonic poem created by the renowned Chinese composer and conductor Tan Dun. The composition weaves together 16 sounds and visuals from various GBA cities, culminating in a performance by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival Orchestra, which includes musicians from the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, and the Macao Orchestra.
Hong Kong’s participation will be significant, featuring diverse programs such as the dance drama “Wing Chun,” with contributions from local artists including George Lam, who has produced the theme song. Another standout production is the “ChoreoMusica Soiree,” a Hong Kong adaptation of the critically acclaimed Guangzhou production, reinterpreted by local cross-disciplinary artist Tsang Man-tung.
Macau’s contribution to the festival will also be substantial. The Macao Orchestra, alongside its GBA counterparts, will perform Tan Dun’s “Sound River,” showcasing the region’s musical talent. The Cantonese Opera Troupe from Foshan will present “The Legend of the White Snake,” a classic story brought to the big screen, highlighting the cultural richness of Cantonese opera. Macau will also host performances such as the “POP KONG” concert, featuring young artists from both Macau and Mainland China, celebrating the creative energy of the next generation.
The festival’s cultural exhibitions will include the “Celebrating National Day – Auspicious Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Greater Bay Area” at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and the “Heritage and Inclusion: Literary Treasures of the Greater Bay Area” at the Hong Kong Central Library. These exhibitions aim to introduce the public to the region’s intangible cultural heritage and literary treasures.
Tickets for the festival will be available starting September 12 via URBTIX, with further information accessible on the festival’s official website. With its diverse programming and wide-ranging participation from across the GBA, this festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of the region’s artistic and cultural diversity.
Festival website:
www.gbacxlo.gov.hk/en
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