This second edition, with various programmes starting from April, will take everyone on an odyssey through the diverse elements that make up Hong Kong pop culture, which has held sway over the world for decades.
Join and get your fill of more than 20 engaging programs, including stage performances, thematic exhibitions, film screenings and outreach activities, and learn more about Hong Kong’s dynamic cultural inheritance, as well as the tapestry of its East-meets-West styles.
As this year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of literary legend Jin Yong (Louis Cha) and the 20th anniversary of the passing of celebrated lyricist James Wong, some programs in the festival are dedicated to these two geniuses.
These include “A Path to Glory - Jin Yong’s Centennial Memorial”, which exhibits 22 sculptures of Jin Yong’s iconic fictional characters by renowned sculptor Ren Zhe; “Classic Martial Arts Drama Costumes and Props Exhibition”, a display of numerous headpieces, costumes and props from classic martial arts TV dramas adapted from acclaimed stories by Jin Yong and other famous novelists; and “A Laugh at the World: James Wong”, an exhibition that sheds light on how this maestro translated traditional content into contemporary pop culture creation.
Also spotlighted is the legacy left behind by the late composer Joseph Koo, who worked closely with James Wong and Jin Yong throughout their careers. Spend an evening listening to revitalised Hong Kong’s pop culture classics from the 1970s to the 1990s, including musical renditions of the martial arts novels of Jin Yong, and the theme songs and soundtracks composed by both Koo and Wong, at the “ART!ON POP Concert” in July. You can also learn more about Koo’s works at another concert in mid-May titled “The Godfather of Cantopop – Joseph Koo”.
Highlights of the Festival also include “Of Fists and Swords - Kaleidoscope of Hong Kong Martial Arts Films”, a special curation of over 20 martial arts films from the 1970s to the present, featuring period wuxia, kung fu, modern action and action fantasy; “Fame in a Flash”, an exclusive tour to AVON Recording Studios, which is widely known as the hall of fame for Hong Kong’s pop music; and “From Arts to Action Music Concert”, a live performance by Albert Au, a Hong Kong English pop and Cantopop singer-songwriter, together with emerging singers that reinterprets beloved classic tunes and theme songs from popular martial arts dramas.
If you are currently in Hong Kong or planning to go soon, this is a good opportunity to participate in a gamut of mesmerising and inspiring activities, and get acquainted with the city’s pop culture through generations.
Check out https://www.pcf.gov.hk/en for detailed information about the venue and schedule of each program.