Although unable to travel to France during the pandemic, the 29th Hong Kong Arts Festival will kick off next month, allowing art enthusiasts in Hong Kong to experience the unique artistic atmosphere of France! This year’s “French May” is themed “Artistic Journey,” with over 500 performers participating, bringing about 80 cultural events in May and June, leading everyone on an artistic journey together!
French contemporary romantic comedy “Love Like the Blue Sky”
A series of events encompassing visual arts to performing arts, with multiple local art groups participating in this annual cultural extravaganza. Not to be missed is the first appearance in Hong Kong of the French contemporary light comedy “Supernatural Love”, produced by one of the acclaimed “most talented theater directors in Hong Kong”, Tang Shurong. Fluent in French, he adapted and translated the French comedy Plus Vraie Que Nature into Cantonese, collaborating with local actors Wong Chi-man, Yip Wing-hong, and Wong Yiu-jo, bringing this romantic and humorous work to the stage of Le French May.
“The Adventures of Niuniu and Beilean – Hope and Harmony” World Premiere Music Piece
This year’s “French May” also has many exciting music programs, such as “Niu Niu and Bertrand – Hope and Harmony,” bringing the world premiere of music works by two heavyweight musicians. Chinese pianist Niu Niu will join hands with the famous French/Luxembourg cellist Bertrand, who is currently a member of the Hong Kong Chamber Orchestra, to perform classic works by masters such as Beethoven, Liszt, and Fauré, presenting a night of extraordinary duets.
The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra performs in musicals.
“Le French May” also collaborated with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra to bring three different styles of performances: “The Little Debussy Music Adventure,” “Musical Feast: France,” and “Red Violin Film Music Concert.” For friends who love musicals, they can enjoy “He Plays the Piano Standing Up,” a tribute to the famous French composer Michel Berger. The story is co-written by Justine Devisse-Mezrani and artistic director Nasthasia Faure, with the participation of 30 local and French artists, actors, singers, dancers, and musicians.
Art Gallery Two Major Exhibitions
In addition, Artify Gallery presents the “Zhu Dequn Exhibition & Film Screening” to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the French-Chinese abstract artist Zhu Dequn. The selected paper works showcased at the event present his iconic abstract style and calligraphy, while also premiering a documentary about Zhu Dequn’s life and artistic creations.
Yi Shang Gallery also brings another exhibition “Contemporary Chinese Surrealism” in response to the collaborative project between the Pompidou Center in Paris and the Hong Kong Art Museum, featuring works by artists such as Zhuo Jiahui, Mei Aoxue, Yi Yinglin, Zhang Xiaoli, Mo Yixin, and Wu Shaoxiang.
“Beyond Surrealism – The Collection Exhibition at the Paris Pompidou Center”
Must-see exhibitions also include “Beyond Surrealism – The Collection of the Paris Pompidou Center”, curated by surrealist art authority Didier Ottinger for the Hong Kong Art Museum, featuring over 100 works by artists from the Paris Pompidou Center, including André Breton, Giorgio de Chirico, Salvador Dali, Francis Picabia, Max Ernst, and René Magritte, allowing viewers to understand the evolution of myths and the artistic aesthetics that run through surrealism, making it a truly rich artistic feast.
