Hong Kong Cinema and Art Events

Because of its history as a major port city and a British colony, Hong Kong has long been a center for cultural events and arts. Despite its return to Chinese rule in 1997, Hong Kong remains a hub for arts, sport, and entertainment. Along with its many traditional festivals, there are events showcasing more modern culture.

Sport

Perhaps the most popular sporting event on the calendar is the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens. The event is marked not only with seven-per-side rugby matches at sold out stadium, but also by an influx of visitors and round-the -clock partying. The tournement takes place at the end of march.

Happy Valley horse racing is a hugely popular in Hong Kong. Though many people go to the track to gamble, just watching and lsitening to thousands of people scream encouragement (or curses) as their chosen horses reach the home streach is an expreince in itself.

Other sporting events include the February Hong KOng Marathon and the December Hong KOng Open golf tournement.

Cinema

For two weeks in April, Hong Kong becomes the center of the flimaking world. The Hong Kong International Film Festival always includes premaiere of flims by some of Asia’s foremost independant directors. Over 200 films are shown each year, a vast majority of thes are from Asian directors.

In addition there are many local festivals held throughout the year. Hong Kong is fiom central for Asia and probably has more directors per capital than anywhere else in the world. Fans of Inependant film-making should check local arts magazines for dates and timess of the city’s many homegrown festivals annd indie movie premeirs.

Art

The Hong Kong Fringe Festival runs during the entire month of January. This event celebrates off-beat and experiemental theater, dance, and poetry, as well as stand up comedy and even mimes. Events runa t various venues and feature both local artists and international performers in town especially for the festival.

A mainstream version of the arts festival takes place in Februray and march. This event is quite prestigous, and features all genres of music, performance art, theater, ballet, and traditional Asian music. Those familiar with the art, theater, and classical music worlds will see the most famous performers int he Asia-Pacific region as well as the World.

October and November brings about another festival featuring Chinese artists from Hong Kong, Taiwand, and the mainland.

Fans of quality cinema and art will not be dissappointed in Hong Kong, a city which might not have everything, but it comes very close.