This year's “Cheers!” Series will be held from December to January next year, featuring family programmes by visiting troupes and local art groups, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department announced today.

Visiting productions include the non-verbal omnibus production, Dream Space, by South Korea's Creative Group SSAK; the Bubble Show in Space by Australia's Bubble Laboratory; the physical clown theatre production, The Mequetrefo, by Brazil's Parlapatões; and the clown theatre piece, Frida's Incredible Journey, by Denmark's Paolo Nani Teater.

Extension activities such as workshops and meet-the-artist sessions will be held for the above programmes.

Local art groups will also present multimedia children's theatre production ANTNETIC LOST by Creman Concept; the puppet musical Sweetyland IV The Fluffy Fungus Fight by Make Friends with Puppet; and the Hong Kong Oratorio Society 70th Anniversary Concert III: A Thankful Christmas.

Tickets for the series will go on sale starting October 14 at URBTIX.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Hong Kong became established as a film-making powerhouse, earning the nickname “Hollywood of the East”. Over the last 25 years, the Hong Kong Film Archive has worked to collect and preserve film materials, allowing the public to savour the industry’s golden age.

Established as a database that can facilitate research on the industry, the archive has over 1.3 million items in its collection, ranging from actual films and other audiovisual materials to posters, costumes and even production companies’ financial statements.

Film Archive Assistant Curator I (Programming) Kenxi Lau remarked: “One of its most prized items is a rare colour copy of the 1960 movie ‘The Orphan’, which was Bruce Lee’s last film before he left Hong Kong for the US. The archive acquired it from a British company and brought it back to Hong Kong in 1992.”

Conservation efforts

Some materials are particularly hard to come by, and the archive is often in a race against the clock to ensure precious artefacts are not lost to the public.

Conservation Office Assistant Curator I (Conservation) Athena Wong said: “The biggest challenge is that film will degrade slowly. We need to preserve the film in cold and dry storage that slows down the degrading process, and buy time to duplicate the contents of the films.”

Ms Wong also highlighted that old video formats and projection equipment are being gradually phased out, meaning the archive has to step up the process of conversion and digitisation.

Artistic integrity

When it comes to restoration, Ms Wong explained that there can be various challenges, including a lack of reference materials.

To preserve a movie’s original look and feel from scene to scene, it is sometimes necessary to contact the people who made it - such as the director or cinematographer - to understand their thoughts and intentions at the time.

Ms Wong added that the time needed to restore a film varies depending on the damage it has sustained.

She also noted that artificial intelligence now offers some great tools to address scratches, stains and other imperfections. However, the restorers are also careful to preserve the historic soul of old films.

Interactive exhibits

Marking the archive’s silver jubilee, an exhibition is being held at its Sai Wan Ho home showcasing its work over the years to preserve the history and culture of Hong Kong cinema.

The exhibition includes screenings of film clips from the 1930s through to the 2000s, as well as interviews with donors, giving the public insights into the archive’s efforts to source film materials from around the world.

It also features actual equipment used by professional conservators, and introduces the restoration procedures and technical knowledge their work entails. Meanwhile, an interactive area with two simulation games allows visitors to experience the work of acquisition and conservation for themselves.

A guitar shredding through neon streets and a delicate ink-wash mantis stepping across drawing paper are making an unlikely splash at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum this summer.

Through the MuseTeens: Youth Leadership Scheme, local students traded traditional textbooks for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at museum operations.

Hands-on training

Participants went deep into the museum’s inner workings, visiting conservation laboratories to see how specialists restore artefacts across various materials, learning collection management, mastering exhibition curation, and leading guided tours for friends and family.

Under this year’s theme, “When Collections Take the Lead - Creative Stop-motion Animation”, participants handled every step of production, from scriptwriting and storyboarding to filming.

Creative expression

Their creations – ranging from rock legend Wong Ka-kui’s acoustic guitar flying past the city’s neon lights to Lingnan painting master Chao Shao-an’s brushstrokes blooming into life – offered fresh perspectives on classic collections.

Beyond giving participants a deeper appreciation for the individual artefacts, the creative process offered museum visitors a fresh, imaginative lens through which to view the broader collection. Selected standout animations will also take centre stage at the programme’s year-end showcase.

Transformative insights

For participant Lin Hao, inspecting artefact care alongside museum curators was not only valuable but also transformative.

“This knowledge is difficult to come across, whether online or in everyday life,” Mr Lin said. “The experience helped us understand how much care and expertise goes into museum work behind the scenes.”

He added that the process reshaped his connection to local heritage.

“I want to learn more about Hong Kong’s culture and history, and share them with others so they can discover just how fascinating and distinctive Hong Kong’s style is.”

Fresh perspectives

Fellow participant Yip Cheuk-kiu, who plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in global creative industries, found inspiration in the museum’s immersive “On Flowers: Selected Paintings and Poems by Chao Shao-an” exhibit zone.

Stepping into the exhibit’s immersive multimedia zone, she watched painted blooms sway in an unfelt breeze, blossom, and wither - an experience that felt less like viewing art and more like stepping straight into the paintings.

“I started to learn how to do some cross-field conversations between different fields,” Miss Yip said. “Perhaps the historical and the literature text can be the foundation, and on the foundation, I can have my own interpretation and breathe life into the unspoken heritage.”

Future impact

Launched in 2006, the MuseTeens scheme expanded from one week to two as the museum’s cultural programming grew. Since introducing annual thematic approaches in 2013, the initiative has offered structured exposure through expert talks, museum visits, field trips, and school presentations led by returning students.

Hong Kong Heritage Museum Assistant Curator II (Education & Extension) Arts Maggie Yu said the scheme is designed to anchor youth in local culture while fostering personal growth.

She said participant feedback underscored the programme’s impact, with students reporting sharper leadership, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.

Beyond personal development, the experience instilled a deeper commitment to safeguarding local cultural heritage and a richer appreciation for arts and culture.

“Once students develop the ability to appreciate and understand arts and culture, they will naturally be more inclined to take part in cultural activities in the future,” Miss Yu said.

She also hopes the hands-on experience will give participants the foundation they need to pursue future careers in the arts and cultural sector.

In collaboration with the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance & Coastal Defence opens the thematic exhibition: "Youth Heading to Yan'an: Patriotic Youth During the War of Resistance" tomorrow. Offering free admission, the exhibition runs until July 7, 2027, bringing revolutionary relics from three cultural and heritage institutions in Shaanxi Province to Hong Kong for the first time.

Addressing the opening ceremony today, Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Eve Tam said that countless patriotic youths stepped forward and travelled to Yan'an to support the war effort during the War of Resistance. Leveraging its unique political and geographical background, Hong Kong served not only as a window to publicise the resistance to the international community, but also as a vital transit hub for overseas relief supplies.

She added that apart from honouring martyrs and commemorating the outstanding contributions of predecessors to the War of Resistance, the exhibition aims to pass on this timeless spirit of patriotism across generations.

The exhibition features around 24 sets of exhibits from the Mainland, including a 1940 graduation certificate from the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University, a bugle used by the Eighth Route Army and a medal for model youth issued by the Political Department of the 18th Army Group. It also displays five cultural relics from Hong Kong, including a 1941 edition of The Eastern Pictorial and a 1938 vinyl record of Sending Winter Clothes by Lam Yee-mui, alongside over 90 photographs portraying the history of the War of Resistance in Yan'an.

The showcase also incorporates an interactive zone and an education corner showcasing key facts about Yan'an and multimedia programmes, enabling visitors to explore the "Revolutionary Holy Land" of Yan'an from multiple perspectives.

The Leisure & Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today announced the fourth Asia+ Festival, running from September to November with over 100 performances and activities showcasing artistry from Asia and Belt & Road regions.

Presented by the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau and organised by the LCSD, the festival features artists from more than 30 countries, including first-time participants Armenia, Brazil, Czechia, Moldova, Palestine and Uruguay.

The programme will blend traditional and contemporary elements to offer fresh perspectives on the performing arts.

The event opens with the “TRI-ART!ON” Concert, featuring musicians from Hong Kong, Mongolia, Korea and Thailand. This will be followed by a variety of dance, music and acrobatics performances, and the ever-popular Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances+ outdoor carnival.

Tickets go on sale at URBTIX on July 23 with early bird discounts available until August 12. For enquiries, call 2370 1044.

Starting a new life far from home in unfamiliar environment with a different language poses significant challenges, a reality well understood by ethnic minorities in Hong Kong.

To facilitate community integration and enhance access to public services, the Home Affairs Department funds non-profit organisations to operate support service centres for ethnic minorities. Service user Sheila Ramchandra Dhanawadi finds the activities and services both engaging and helpful.

Building bonds

Fifteen years ago, Sheila left Mumbai, India for Hong Kong. In 2021, a social worker connected her with the HOPE Support Service Centre for Ethnic Minorities, where she found a community of people with similar backgrounds.

Sheila hopes to expand her social circle while better integrating into the community. “The activities and services have made a positive difference in my life,” she said.

The HOPE Support Service Centre for Ethnic Minorities offers a diverse range of activities, including language classes and local festive celebrations, to familiarise the new residents with Hong Kong’s culture and lifestyle. The centre also organises volunteer opportunities, allowing participants to give back to the community while strengthening their sense of belonging in the city.

Among the centre’s most popular activities are its Cantonese classes, which teach practical, daily dialogue to help participants navigate everyday situations. In addition, the facility hosts a large-scale showcase annually to bring local residents and ethnic minorities together. The signature event features orienteering competitions alongside live music and dance performances.

Extending outreach

In April, the centre launched its Youth Network and Women’s Network. These initiatives offer tailored skills, vocational training and Mainland exchange tours.

The centre also hosts sports classes, such as swimming, designed specifically for ethnic minority women.

Enriching integration

Apart from language barriers, one of the biggest hurdles for many ethnic minorities is simply not knowing what community resources are out there. Finding support from people who truly understand their cultural background and circumstances remains a steep challenge.

To respond to the Policy Address’s call for stronger community integration, the HOPE Interpretation & Translation Service Centre for Ethnic Minorities opened its doors last December.

The facility provides interpretation and translation services in seven languages, namely Indonesian, Bengali, Hindi, Nepali, Punjabi, Tagalog and Urdu – most of which are free of charge. Services include telephone and on-site interpretation. The centre also assists ethnic minority members with navigating daily essentials such as appointments, housing and public services.

Staff can also accompany service users to relevant public service agencies to give on-site support. Moreover, the centre translates daily news highlights, helping ethnic minority groups stay updated on local community developments.

Personalised support

“Those in need can raise any questions they encounter due to the language barriers, and the centre will provide appropriate support,” said HOPE Support Service Centre for Ethnic Minorities person-in-charge Amy Wong.

She highlighted that all interpreters have relevant interpretation experience and are proficient in both English and ethnic minority languages. The centre also conducts spot checks to maintain service quality.

The organisation hopes such services will ease daily life for ethnic minorities, giving them the confidence to truly make them feel at home in Hong Kong.

The acrobatic theatre production Starchitects by the UK troupe Motionhouse will make its Hong Kong debut from July 10 to 12. The show will kick off this year’s International Arts Carnival, the summer arts festival presented by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department.

Winner of the Best Family Arts Activity award at the UK’s Fantastic for Families Awards 2023, Starchitects centres around space exploration. It blends digital projections, gravity-defying choreography and aerial acrobatics to take the audience on a fantasy cosmic journey.

The performances will take place at the East Kowloon Cultural Centre at 7.30pm on July 10 and 11, and at 3pm on July 11 and 12. Meet-the-artist sessions will follow each performance for the audience to share insights with the performers. Tickets are available at URBTIX.

Parent-child acrobatics workshops will be held at the centre at 4pm on July 9 and 11am on July 12, where performers from Motionhouse will teach simple acrobatic tricks. Additionally, the 3pm performance on July 11 will be an accessible show featuring Cantonese audio description and a pre-show touch tour.

Running across July and August, this year's International Arts Carnival will feature over 100 family-friendly performances and activities. It brings together local, Mainland and overseas talent for events spanning acrobatics, dance, music, theatre and multimedia.

The carnival will also offer film screenings, library activities, parent-child workshops, an online programme and exhibitions.  

For programme enquiries, call 2370 1044.

At the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area, the Civil Engineering & Development Department (CEDD) is breathing new life into facilities along the Tin Shui Wai river channel.

Transformed riverside

For the first phase of this transformation, the project team zeroed in on a stretch of the river between Tin Shui Estate and Tin Wah Estate.

CEDD Architect Chan Man-kong said they centred the design on the junction of the Tin Shui Wai river and Ha Tsuen channel, creating art paintings on the walls and pavement.

“This spot is precisely the starting point of the eastern side of the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area and is adjacent to Tin Shui Wai,” noted Mr Chan.

“On the left, is the vibrant town centre of the new development area and the happy smiles of the residents, while on the right is the lively traditional dragon dance celebration.

“Linking these two scenes together is the Tin Sum riverside and floodable open space in the middle. We have also specially incorporated the scenery of Lau Fau Shan and Deep Bay, as well as migratory birds, horseshoe crabs and fiddler crabs.”

Mr Chan added that the mural represents the future of the new development area.

Facility face-lifts

Along the riverbank, two pergolas have been completely reimagined, each redesigned with its own distinct charm and character.

“The pavilion walls are decorated with the logo, colours and patterns of the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area,” explained Mr Chan. “And the design of another pavilion takes the common egrets found along the Tin Shui Wai river as the theme, using egret silhouettes with shades of blue to represent the sky and river water, creating an effect with simple patterns and lively colours.”

Turning this vision into reality relied on seamless teamwork and a shared goal across various departments.

In addition to the pavilion beautification, the CEDD was also responsible for feature art paintings and the provision of fitness bikes.

CEDD Engineer Bonnie Kwan noted that the Leisure & Cultural Services Department carried out the riverside landscaping, the Highways Department relayed the paving blocks and beautified the railings, while the Drainage Services Department shortened the fencing, all in an effort to make the overall environment more layered and more welcoming.

Embracing enhancements

Following the completion of the beautification works, the upgraded waterfront has been warmly received. Residents have said the riverside space is now more comfortable and vibrant, encouraging more people to stroll along the promenade and enjoy leisurely activities by the water.

CEDD Chief Engineer Chung Lok-chin said preparations are now underway for the next phase of work, with plans to select outstanding design proposals through a design competition to further enhance the riverside space through small-scale works.

“In the long term, under the planning of the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area, the western bank of the Tin Shui Wai river channel will be transformed into a 2-km-long riverside promenade,” explained Mr Chung.

“Bridges will be added to improve accessibility between both riversides, and more trees and flowers will be planted to beautify the environment for public use.”

Facing high population density and rising transport demand, the Government established the $1 billion Smart Traffic Fund to encourage research and development and drive innovations that enhance commuting convenience, maximise network efficiency and improve driving safety.

A prime example is the Smart Ding Ding System, developed by Hong Kong Tramways over a period of more than a year with fund backing. The system utilises radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to boost operational efficiency and safety.

Real-time precision

"On each tram, we have installed an RFID reader on the roof," explained Hong Kong Tramways Assistant Manager (Technical Support) Chan Tsz-to. "We have also installed RFID tags at about 400 different locations across our network on the span wires. When a tram passes these tags, the system detects its actual location in real time."

Before this system was installed, the company had relied on track switches to determine a tram’s location, a method limited by track configuration. Now, with precise real-time data, control room staff can better manage service intervals, handle unexpected disruptions and co-ordinate emergency manoeuvres.

This operational upgrade also benefits the public. By combining real-time tracking with historical data, the company now provides estimated arrival times for the next three trams on its mobile application, allowing passengers to plan their journeys with ease.

Furthermore, the system prioritises safety at the network’s 20 L-shaped curves. Special RFID tags have been installed at the curves to monitor tram speeds and ensure speeds remain within the safe limit of 8km per hour when taking a bend. "If the tram's speed is higher than the limit, an alarm is emitted by the system to alert the driver to slow down before entering the curve," Mr Chan added.

Safeguarding roads

Following incidents where lorry-mounted cranes struck road infrastructure, mandatory regulations were implemented in March 2025 requiring vehicles with extendable aerial structures to be fitted with over-height warning systems.

To support this transition, the Centre of Advanced Power & Autonomous Systems has developed a specialised crane position monitoring system.

"We need to make sure that the sensor is easy to install," noted the centre's former Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Cheung. "We want the development to be applicable to different kinds of cranes in different situations."

The system uses a sensor mounted on the crane to monitor its height and angle, cross-referencing this data with the global positioning system tracking to determine if the vehicle is in motion. If the vehicle moves while the crane is not fully retracted, audio and visual alarms are triggered in the cab. Mr Cheung emphasised the importance of reliability, noting that the system is designed to prevent false alarms so that drivers can trust the warnings.

Established in 2021, the Smart Traffic Fund has approved 92 projects to date, totaling about $638 million in funding. These projects cover road safety, driving behaviour, traffic forecasting, parking, vehicle safety devices and autonomous driving technology.

The Bun Scrambling Final, the finale to the 2026 Bun Carnival, will be held on Sunday night at the Pak Tai Temple Playground football pitch on Cheung Chau.

Following an opening ceremony at 11.30pm, the competition will start at midnight, in accordance with tradition. A total of 12 finalists will compete for awards across the men's and women's divisions.

Trophies will be awarded to the winner, first runner-up and second runner-up in the men’s division and the winner in the women’s division. The “Full Pockets of Lucky Buns” award will be presented to the participant who gathers the most buns.

Four spectator zones will bet up at the pitch to accommodate around 1,650 people. Admission is expected to start from 10.30pm.

Free tickets will be distributed from 10pm on the night of the event. These can be obtained at Pak She First Lane, next to Cheung Chau Fire Station, and along Ping Chong Road. Members of the public will be given one ticket per person on a first come, first served basis while tickets last.

Special transport arrangements will be made to cater to spectators leaving Cheung Chau after the event.

In the event of inclement weather, the event may be cancelled and will not be rescheduled. In this eventuality, the prizes would be determined based on the selection contest results. 

From succulent local lobster, to shimmering sea fish, the seafood bounty visitors see here is raised right on the waves at this Sam Mun Tsai mariculture raft in Tai Po. It is not just a fish farm, it is a seaside escape, where visitors can cast a line to catch their own dinner, such as groupers and snappers, straight from the water.

Secure joy

The experience is as seamless as it is relaxing. The farm handles all the cooking, and as it is certified under the Fish enJoy Scheme managed by the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD), high quality and local authenticity are guaranteed. 

The Fish enJoy Scheme was launched by the department in September 2025, following the success of the Agri enJoy Scheme initiative.

This new scheme allows mariculture rafts and inland fish farms to host leisure fisheries and educational tours. Participants can sell their own farmed fish and, with the appropriate licences from the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department, even prepare fish dishes on-site.

Visitors at the Sam Mun Tsai mariculture raft praised the stunning views and enjoyed tasting fresh seafood in the beautiful surroundings.

AFCD Fisheries Officer (Mariculture Enforcement) Adrian Lam said the department aims to boost fish farmers’ incomes through the leisure fisheries by promoting diversification and the industry’s sustainable development.

Educational tours

Under the scheme, fish farms can also host educational tours. Sam Mun Tsai mariculturist Danny To said visiting student groups learn about the industry’s farming practices and its recreational fishing model.

“It is great for the younger generation to understand the fish farming industry. This is truly a positive initiative,” he said.

Sundays tend to be busier, he added, with sometimes about 200 visitors. “Many of the locals come to enjoy family time, bringing their children to fish.”

Similar to the Fish enJoy Scheme, the AFCD’s Agri enJoy Scheme promotes the development of local recreational agriculture.

A farm located in Kwu Tung offers seasonal activities, allowing visitors to pick grapes, blackcurrants and even dragon fruits. 

“We offer a variety of workshops. Almost everyone has a fantastic time. They can pick their own fruits and experience the joy of farming,” explained farmer Yan Fu-qin.

She added that participation in the scheme helps them with promotion by informing the public that they can come and pick fresh organic fruit, while also boosting the incomes of farmers.

Restrictions relaxed

AFCD Agricultural Officer (Branding & Marketing) Karina Poon explained that to facilitate the organisation of these ancillary businesses, the Government relaxed the restrictions to allow more room for the development of the industry and to help the Agri enJoy farms apply for food business licences to provide light meals mainly with self-grown crops.

The ICH (Intangible Cultural Heritage) Highlight Tours, which brings the public and tourists to explore ICH items with ICH practitioners sharing their skills and stories, will open for registration on May 15 and 16.

As the highlight programme of the second Hong Kong ICH Month in June, the tours will expand to a total of 40 field trips this year, extending the coverage to eight districts, offering a total of nine different ICH-themed routes.

Each route will have two public tours in Cantonese, accommodating 20 participants per tour.

People interested in joining the tours can register online from 10.30am on May 15 to 6.30pm on May 16. Admission is free. In case of excess applications, all quotas will be allocated by ballot.

Successful applicants will receive a confirmation email by May 26.

Hong Kong ICH Month is presented by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department and organised by its Intangible Cultural Heritage Office (ICHO).

In addition, the ICHO collaborates with the Tourism Board to organise ICH Highlight Tours in Sham Shui Po and Happy Valley for tourists.

Special ICH Highlight Tours in Kowloon City and Sham Shui Po will also be arranged for students.

The Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Office of the Leisure & Cultural Services Department will organise the second edition of the Hong Kong ICH Month from May 30 to June 30, featuring over 50 ICH performances, 80 promotion booths and 40 field visits held across Hong Kong.

The department said the various activities will cover over 100 ICH items, giving the public and tourists a greater insight into Hong Kong's ICH, and enable them to experience the cultural richness of ICH and the pleasure it brings, with a view to achieving "shaping tourism with cultural activities and promoting culture through tourism".

A programme briefing was held today, announcing that the opening ceremony and ICH carnival will be held on May 30 and 31 at the Cultural Centre Piazza.

Apart from Cantonese music, a female lion dance and a children/youth Cantonese opera show, there will be interactive booths featuring a shadow puppetry demonstration and experience, a lion dance experience, Cantonese opera costumes and flash mob performances, a Pixiu dance, Hoi Luk Fung/Hoklo unicorn dance, for members of the public to join.

There will also be in-depth exploration in tours of nine thematic routes, bringing the public and tourists to eight districts, namely Wan Chai, the Islands, Kowloon City, Kwai Tsing, North, Sai Kung, Sham Shui Po, Yau Tsim Mong, in which ICH practitioners will share their skills and stories. Registration will open on May 15.

A light show will be presented on the exterior walls of the Space Museum in mid-to-late June to showcase the rich historical and cultural significance of the horse in artefacts and artworks, and the underlying essence of ICH.

Meanwhile, the "10 Living ICH Treasures" Mobile Classrooms will bring ICH knowledge and Chinese culture to local primary and secondary schools through mobile displays, live performance and demonstrations, as well as interactive workshops.

Carnivals or fun days will be held in various districts across Hong Kong on several Saturdays and Sundays in June.

People of all ages may enjoy a variety of ICH performances and interactive, hands-on experiential booths. Participants may make their own ICH food items and learn about the making techniques, or take part in workshops on fishing net plaiting, salt making and movable-type printing techniques.

Other events include Hong Kong Cheongsam Heritage Salon, the "Fly with ICH Delight: Pop-up Display" and "Hong Kong-style Milk Tea Making Technique" live demonstrations, as well as a seminar where scholars and experts are invited to explore the transmission and development of ICH. 

The Hong Kong Heritage Museum (HKHM) is staging the Meet Mona Lisa & Portraying the Renaissance exhibition from May 1 to July 27 to take visitors on an immersive digital journey to explore the famous Mona Lisa painting and showcase a selection of Renaissance art treasures from various French and Italian cultural institutions. Admission is free.

Addressing the opening ceremony today, Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law said the exhibition is undoubtedly a highlight programme of this year's French May Arts Festival.

“Through the immersive digital journey specially curated by the Louvre and the Grand Palais Immersif, alongside the outstanding artworks on loan from exceptional museums and art institutions, we can step inside the frame and breathe new life into classical heritage,” she added.

The first section of the exhibition "Meet Mona Lisa", is centred on the Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece, condensing the extraordinary journey of the portrait spanning more than 500 years into six chapters, Mona Lisa herself narrates the captivating stories behind her mysterious smile in a monologue.

Meanwhile, the second section "Portraying the Renaissance" highlights a selection of Renaissance art treasures from several renowned museums and cultural institutions, including the Musée national de la Renaissance and the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, in diverse forms of art such as paintings, prints, sculptures, decorative art, and everyday objects.

Most exhibits are being shown in Hong Kong for the first time, including four precious Leonardo da Vinci manuscripts, and works by other Renaissance period artists such as The Virgin and Child with the Infant Saint John the Baptist by Luca Penni, The Crucifixion by Noël Bellemare, and Michelangelo Buonarroti's The Rebellious Slave (plaster reproduction cast using moulds).

Exhibits from the HKHM collection and paintings by Chinese Mainland artist Xu Lei that echo Renaissance art are also on display.

Furthermore, the museum lobby features a giant five-metre animated installation that blends Hong Kong-style neon elements with classic art symbols to create a unique Hong Kong version of the Mona Lisa.

An artefact exhibition on the Sui and Tang dynasties jointly presented by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration will be held at the Museum of History from tomorrow to August 24. Admission is free.

The exhibition "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Prosperity and Magnificence - Civilisation of the Sui and Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province" features a selection of over 165 sets of artefacts from Shaanxi and Hong Kong, of which 18 sets are grade-one national treasures.

Being the third exhibition of the LCSD's General History of China Series, this exhibition journeys through the Wei, Jin and Northern and Southern dynasties, the Sui dynasty, and mainly narrates the grandeur of the Tang dynasty, exploring its historical context and development origins.

Addressing the opening ceremony today, Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law said the LCSD's General History of China Series allows the public, especially the younger generation, to gain a coherent understanding of the long history of China and a more comprehensive grasp of the profound connotations of Chinese culture.

She noted that the previous two exhibitions under the series have attracted a more than 420,000 total attendance, including 15,000 teachers and students.

Miss Law added that Chang'an, the capital of the Tang dynasty, was a world-renowned international metropolis. Meanwhile, Hong Kong is an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange today.

She said Hong Kong shares similar open and inclusive characteristics as Chang'an, promoting the deep integration of diverse ethnic cultures. Both cities also play crucial bridging roles in cultural and artistic exchange, showcasing the unique charm of gateway cities.

She urged visitors to appreciate the treasures of ancient Chinese civilisation and experience the profound heritage and unique charm of Chinese culture in the exhibition.

Other officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Hua You, Deputy Director of the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration Wang Runlu, and Deputy Director-General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural & Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Lin Nan. 

To tie in with “Hong Kong Reading for All Day” on April 23, Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) will hold Hong Kong Reading Week 2026 from April 20 to 26.

Under the theme of “Delight/LIBRARY”, this year’s reading week will comprise about 470 events aimed at cultivating good reading habits among the public.

HKPL will participate in 2026 Hong Kong Reading+, a reading promotion initiative organised by the Hong Kong Publishing Federation (HKPF) and sponsored by the Cultural & Creative Industries Development Agency, at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin from April 18 to 26.

HKPL and HKPF will hold an opening ceremony for Hong Kong Reading Week 2026 and 2026 Hong Kong Reading+ at the venue on April 18. HKPL will introduce its electronic resources and hold handicraft workshops, as well as parent-child reading activities.

On Hong Kong Reading for All Day on April 23, reading locations will be set up at selected Leisure & Cultural Services Department venues, public libraries, community libraries, higher education institutions, and primary and secondary schools, to facilitate the event “Read Together for Half an Hour”.

HKPL and the Hans Andersen Club will also co-host a “Joyful Family Reading Carnival” at East Kowloon Cultural Centre.

Fun day activities suitable for people of all ages will be staged on April 25 and 26 at the Hong Kong Central Library. These include a music and story sharing session hosted by the pop singer Phil Lam, a magic performance and workshops by Harry Wong, interactive guide dog sessions, a Miniature World of Hong Kong exhibition, and musical interludes featuring classical pieces by Chinese and Western ensembles under the Music Office. An interactive device “The Happiness Explorer” will be set up to recommend good books.

In addition, the Pop-up Library@Hong Kong Reading Week 2026 – under the theme “Happiness Is Just Around the Book Corner” – will be held at Festival Walk in Kowloon Tong on April 25.

On April 25 and 26, selected public libraries across Hong Kong will hold storytelling and handicraft workshops, with self-service photo booths adding to the fun for patrons.

Click here for details.

Cinema Day 2026 will take place on April 25, during which all movie tickets at commercial cinemas across Hong Kong will be priced at $30.

The initiative is sponsored by the Cultural & Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau through the Film Development Fund (FDF). Tickets will go on sale starting at noon on April 22 at cinema box offices, websites and mobile apps.

Attending a press conference for the event today, Commissioner for Cultural & Creative Industries Drew Lai encouraged the public to visit cinemas and support the local film industry.

Miss Lai stated that the Government remains committed to fostering the development of the local film sector. She highlighted that the FDF has supported various initiatives, such as Cinema Day, to promote Hong Kong films and reach a wider audience.

She added that Cinema Day aims to cultivate a cinema-going culture among the public, supporting the long-term growth of the industry while simultaneously boosting consumption in local neighbourhoods.

Over the past three years, Cinema Day has recorded a total of more than 600,000 admissions and over $44 million in box office revenue. The initiative has been widely welcomed by both the public and the film industry.

The Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2026, running from June to September, will present more than 280 distinctive stage programmes and extension activities, film screenings, thematic exhibitions, talks, workshops, as well as community and school activities.

Under the theme “Legends”, it will showcase a diverse array of programmes centred on Chinese legends and folklore, with a focus on the culture of the Sui-Tang dynasties, and the charm of the ancient capital Luoyang.

The festival’s opening show is “Lady White Snake”, a dance drama produced by the Shanghai Grand Theatre, with internationally renowned ballet artist Tan YuanYuan as artistic director. Blending ballet and Chinese dance, the production reinterprets a journey of self-exploration and discovery.

The Chinese Opera Festival, a core component of the CCF, adopts the theme “Righteousness & Loyalty in Chinese Opera” to present classic plays of legendary tales from various opera genres.

The kick-off programme, “Showcase of Peking Opera Actors in Full Armour Roles”, brings together top contemporary wusheng (martial male) actors from four major Peking opera troupes in Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin and Hubei. In the three-day performances, they will perform excerpts from stories based on “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”, “The Water Margin” and more.

In addition, China Theatre Plum Blossom Award winner Shi Xiaming will lead artists from the Jiangsu Performing Arts Group Kun Opera Theatre in bringing the complete two-part Kunqu opera masterpiece “A Dream Under the Southern Bough” to the Hong Kong stage for the first time.

Meanwhile, a New Cantonese Opera, “Ancient Tune of Guangling”, featuring renowned local artists Loong Koon-tin, Tang Mi-ling, Yuen Siu-fai and Liu Kwok-sum, will be staged.

Furthermore, singers of Yu opera (Henan Bangzi), Hebei Bangzi opera and Shangdang Bangzi opera will showcase their artistry during their visit to Hong Kong.

For stage productions, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department and the Bauhinia Culture Group will co-present the “Chinese Performing Arts Hong Kong Season Series” which involves Chinese-style suspense drama “The Code of The Dynasty”, as well as acrobatic drama “Acrobatic Spectacle of Ancient Tang”.

As regards musical performances, representative inheritor of the national-level intangible cultural heritage of the art of guqin Yao Gongbai will give a guqin recital, featuring the piece “Flowing Water” sourced from the 1821 version of “Zhifa Huican Quejie”, a guqin tablature collection.

“Harmony in Eternal Melody”, a dance drama by the Hubei Opera & Dance Drama Theater, recreates 1:1 ancient musical instruments including bronze chime bells and more.

Separately, the “Prosperity & Magnificence - Civilisation of the Sui & Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province” exhibition, jointly presented by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department and the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, will feature a selection of over 165 pieces/sets of artefacts from Shaanxi and Hong Kong, offering visitors a glimpse into the splendour of the Sui and Tang dynasties, while also unveiling commercial and military ties with Hong Kong during the era.

CCF tickets will be available at URBTIX from April 14 onwards, with a limited-time offer from April 14 to 30 on selected programmes. Call 2268 7321 or 2268 7323 or 2268 7325 for enquiries.

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD) and Friends of the Country Parks will hold the Country Parks Hiking & Planting Day 2026 on two separate Sundays, April 19 and April 26.

The event, at Tai Lam Chung Country Trail, Tai Lam Country Park, is open to the public. Participants can register on-site at the designated point from 9am to 10.30am on each of the event days. No pre-registration is required.

Seedlings and planting tools will be provided by the AFCD. Seedlings will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The department reminded the public to assess their physical strength and hiking experience before taking part.

Participants are also encouraged to hike with friends or family members and help conserve the countryside by practising proper hiking etiquette. This includes bringing reusable water bottles and towels, as well as following the "Take Your Litter Home" principle.

Bamboo artist Inkgo Lam, who apprenticed under Hong Kong bamboo steamer master Lui Ming, is known for blending traditional bamboo craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics.

Ms Lam is one of the 19 artists taking part in the Hong Kong Museum of Art’s newly launched “Live: Hong Kong Art Exhibition”.

She is presenting two bamboo carvings, Arrow (1) and Arrow (2). Using an arrow and a target as a metaphor for how people pursue goals, the works convey two contrasting states - balance and explosion.

Meanwhile, kinetic installation artist Joseph Chan brings audiences a distinctive carousel making its public debut. Titled Pride of Labour, the fully mechanical work is assembled from machine parts. But there is something different about the three horses - upon closer inspection they are seen to walk on human legs.

Mr Chan encourages visitors to look closely at their gait, thereby sparking curiosity and a spirit of exploration.

Staged to mark Art March, the “Live: Hong Kong Art Exhibition” brings together 19 established and emerging local artists. Spanning a range of media, including installation, ceramics, painting and more - it offers audiences a visual feast.

Vibrant convergence
Hong Kong Museum of Art Curator (Modern & Hong Kong Art) Prudence Ma said Art March is the artists’ moment in the spotlight, allowing them to showcase their works and engage directly with international curators, critics and collectors from around the globe.

She noted that during Art March, Hong Kong will host numerous arts and cultural events, including international commercial art fairs as well as the Hong Kong Museum of Art’s “Live: Hong Kong Art Exhibition”.

“This dynamic interplay of international art and Hong Kong art has fully demonstrated the value of Hong Kong.”

Fellow artists were also full of praise for how Art March has benefited them in practical ways.

Ms Lam revealed that artists that participate in the exhibition receive an artist’s fee, and that she had actually sold works to private collectors at other art fairs in the past. She believes that it is a win-win for artists when commercial fairs and museum exhibitions run in parallel.

Mr Chan also agreed that Art March serves as a valuable opportunity for artists to reach curators and potential buyers more easily, adding that he welcomes the opportunity for more people to come view his kinetic installation works.

Creative community
The artistic vibe is also alive at Oi! in North Point, the former clubhouse of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.

Every Art March, Oi! presents its “Oi! Spotlight” series. Oi! Curator Joan Chung said the venue’s two new exhibitions this year both take water as their point of entry, echoing the historic building’s location by the waterfront.

One of them, local artist Chan Wai-lap’s “Jeremy’s Bathhouse”, is set in Oi!’s glass house.

The artist explained that the work draws inspiration from a rare species of snail whose shell coils to the left - a one in 40,000 phenomenon - discovered in the UK. The snail called Jeremy is seeking a similar lefty companion or friends.

Mr Chan combined the story with the site’s features to create a colourful bathhouse. Visitors must change into slippers at the entrance before entering the pool area. Each locker compartment holds only one slipper, requiring visitors to match the left and right themselves - a detail that makes the experience all the more special.

Beyond Oi!, he is also presenting his work at other fairs during Art March, including the aforementioned “Live: Hong Kong Art Exhibition.”

Mr Chan highlighted that there is more buzz around the art world in the wider community during Art March.

“People have suddenly become highly enthusiastic about art, which I see as positive, as artists get the chance to present their work and the public gets to admire more as well. Everyone really enjoys this month.”

Another exhibition, “Oi! Spotlight - Space · Ecology · Poetics: Zheng Jing's Way of Art”, is Chinese Mainland artist Zheng Jing’s first solo show in Hong Kong.

Using water, sound and light, the works interact with the space itself.

Mr Zheng recalled the memories he formed of Hong Kong during his childhood through watching its films and television shows, so when he first visited the city two years ago, it felt already familiar to him.

In one piece, Mr Zheng gathered a range of Hong Kong’s urban sounds, from the trams’ signature “ding-ding” to the tune of the local ice-cream truck, and presented them as a soundscape in the space, alongside imagery of Victoria Harbour. Visitors are able to manipulate light from a mirrored installation, tracing through the waves so they feel as if they are beneath the waters of the harbour.

The artist added that his understanding of Art March has deepened while preparing for the exhibition.

“Art exhibitions held across Hong Kong throughout March are perhaps more than a festival. They are artists and creators exchanging and presenting work together, revealing a distinctive side of the city.”

Curator Ms Chung supplemented that Art March has become a cultural brand for Hong Kong, promoting collaboration among artists and curators and raising the sector’s professional standards.

She pointed out that by building an international platform and gathering artists from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas, Art March plays a crucial role in reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.