This year, the French May Arts Festival officially celebrates its 30th anniversary. To commemorate this grand occasion, the festival will continue to bring a series of exciting cultural and artistic programs from April to June. The theme for this year is “Art in Motion,” symbolizing the festival as a bridge for cultural interaction between Hong Kong and France, promoting artistic creation, collaboration, and cross-disciplinary and cross-regional exchanges among artists. During the media conference held this month, the organizers unveiled more than 100 art activities spanning dance, theater, music, and more. Let’s take a look at the 7 highlighted programs of this year!
“Virtual Versailles Palace Tour”
Can you experience the classic French landmarks in Hong Kong? As a representative of France’s glorious era and rich cultural heritage, Versailles holds immense historical and artistic value. This program uses digital technology to reinterpret the charm of Versailles, allowing viewers to visit the Hall of Mirrors, French gardens, and Marie Antoinette’s bedroom, giving a glimpse into the various precious aspects of Versailles.
Date: April 19, 2023 to July 9, 2023
Location: Hong Kong Cultural Museum Exhibition Hall 3 – 5a
Ticket Price: Standard Ticket $10 Group Ticket $7 Discounted Ticket $5
“Karen Ann and Debussy String Quartet”
As the closing concert of the art festival, international singer-songwriter Karen An will perform alongside the Debussy String Quartet at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre. The repertoire includes newly arranged classics by Karen An such as “Nowhere to Go,” “Strange Weather,” and “Winter Garden,” combining the gentle and rustic melodies of the electric guitar with the strings to create a breathtaking auditory experience.
Date: June 23, 2023
Time: 8:30 PM
Location: Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre
Tickets: Click here ($480 / $420 / $280 / $180)
“His Temple”
This year marks the tenth anniversary of Lin Jiaxin’s tenure as the ambassador of the art festival. She will collaborate with local composers and dancers to bring a multimedia performance. The work is inspired by Guy de Maupassant’s short story “Clair de Lune”. Musician Jiang Yitian and art festival ambassador Lin Jiaxin co-created it, while dancers Wang Ronglu and Tan Zhizhuo choreographed and performed, initiating a dialogue between contemporary music and dance that is highly anticipated.
Date: June 10, 2023
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall
Tickets: Click here ($380 / $280)
Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels
Launched by Van Cleef & Arpels in 2020, Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels is a vibrant contemporary dance project presenting a series of top-notch original works and repertoire pieces by international choreographers and dancers. This year, they collaborated with the May Arts Festival in Hong Kong, hosting nine performances, workshops, and film screenings in various public spaces and major venues, encouraging audiences to explore their relationship with dance through various mediums.
Detailed program content: Click here
The Harmony of Niu Niu and Ti Ao Fu Xian Nahei “Duet for Two Pianos”
Experience the exhilarating piano performance of world-renowned pianists Niu Niu and Téo Fornah in their piano duet concert, “Harmony of the Dual Pianos.” Embark on a journey of harmonious melodies and explore the rhythms of music. From Debussy’s “Etude” to Bizet’s “Carmen Fantasy,” from Rachmaninoff’s “Second Suite” to the piano concerto version of “Yellow River,” witness the beautiful fusion of Eastern and Western cultures through classical music.
Date: May 12, 2023
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall
Tickets: Click here ($420 / $320 / $220 / $150)
Philips. Glass’s Ninth String Quartet “King Lear”
The Tana String Quartet, hailed as “perfect performers” by The Guardian, collaborated with the renowned composer Philip Glass to create their ninth string quartet, set against the backdrop of Shakespeare’s King Lear. In this program, you can enjoy a concert version of King Lear, which is the ninth piece composed by Glass for the quartet. Through music, they aim to depict the heart-wrenching, violent, and despairing elements of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy.
Date: May 5th to 6th, 2023
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Hong Kong City Hall Theatre
Tickets: Click here ($380 / $280)
“Let the Mirror Speak”
The French May Arts Festival presents a two-year Hong Kong-France theater exchange program called “Let the Mirror Speak.” Directors Hu Haihui and Nicolas Kerszenbaum from Hong Kong and France respectively will have multiple residencies in both Hong Kong and Paris. Throughout the process, they will continuously question their own identity and reflect on their cultural and urban contexts, like a mirror reflecting their inner selves. The two artists will combine their own perspectives with the materials gathered during their residencies to develop a series of lectures, discussions, and theater creations, allowing for a mutual reflection of Hong Kong and French cultures.
Image source and learn more: French May Arts Festival
