{"id":24073,"date":"2025-12-29T15:59:35","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T07:59:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=24073"},"modified":"2025-12-29T15:59:35","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T07:59:35","slug":"master-puppeteers-show-pulling-power-of-chinese-culture-festivals-mix-of-old-and-new","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=24073","title":{"rendered":"Master puppeteers show pulling power of Chinese Culture Festival\u2019s mix of old and new"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The festival, first held last year, was organised by the city government\u2019s Leisure and Cultural Services Department to \u201cpromote fine Chinese culture and enhance the public\u2019s national identity and cultural confidence\u201d.<\/p>\n

This second edition, which ended in September, featured over 290 performances and activities by artists from across the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong and with total attendances reaching 960,000. The four-month celebration showcased everything from Peking opera enhanced with digital technology to contemporary dance interpretations of classical poetry.<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring last year\u2019s inaugural edition, we saw that visitors, particularly the younger generation, sought deeper engagement with cultural experiences,\u201d Veron Lam, chief manager of the department\u2019s Cultural Presentations Section, said. \u201cTherefore, the second edition has enhanced elements such as workshops, demonstrations and community outreach, transforming participants from mere spectators into active contributors to cultural heritage.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis shift from \u2018observing\u2019 to \u2018experiencing\u2019 meets the new expectations of contemporary audiences for cultural events on a deeper level.\u201d<\/p>\n

Embracing traditions through innovation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Beyond hands-on programmes, the festival\u2019s main stage productions showed how classical arts can thrive through creative reinterpretation.<\/p>\n

The festival\u2019s emphasis on innovation was evident from the opening programme, Dongpo: Life in Poems<\/em>, which used modern dances to reimagine the life and poetry of Su Dongpo, a Northern Song dynasty (960-1127) literary giant.<\/p>\n

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\"Dancers<\/div>
Dancers perform in Dongpo: Life in Poems, which reimagines the life and poetry of Chinese literary giant Su Dongpo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The performance by the prestigious China Oriental Performing Arts Group blended Su\u2019s work with various Chinese art forms including martial arts, traditional and contemporary music, calligraphy and landscape painting.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis approach made abstract poetic imagery tangible,\u201d Lam said. \u201cTogether with powerful visual projections, the performance vividly conveyed Su Dongpo\u2019s sentiments, humanity and patriotism through a contemporary lens and an international perspective.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt perfectly embodies the principle of the festival, upholding traditions while embracing innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\"Virtuosos<\/div>
Virtuosos Li Shengsu (left) and Yu Kuizhi take centre stage in the China National Peking Opera Company\u2019s production of Cession for Consolidation of the Song Regime.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Another highlight, Cession for Consolidation of the Song Regime<\/em> by the China National Peking Opera Company showed how classical arts can stay relevant \u2013 and even thrive \u2013 through modern interpretation.<\/p>\n

Developed over two years, the production creates a new Peking opera masterpiece by fusing modern visual elements and storytelling to present an account of the life of Qian Chu, who was the last ruler of Wuyue during the turbulent Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period of China from 907 to 979.<\/p>\n

The experience has been enhanced by modern theatre technology and aesthetics including the set design and audio effects, while virtuosos such as Yu Kuizhi and Li Shengsu showcased their traditional opera techniques that have been perfected from decades of practice.<\/p>\n

In another sold-out performance, August\u2019s dance drama A Dream of Red Mansions<\/em> saw a new generation of creatives breathe new life into a timeless literary classic.<\/p>\n

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\"The<\/div>
The dance drama A Dream of Red Mansions reimagines the love triangle depicted in the 18th century Chinese novel, Dream of the Red Chamber.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The love triangle between Jia Baoyu, Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai depicted in the 18th-century Chinese novel Dream of the Red Chamber<\/em> was given a modern, emotional reinterpretation through graceful dance scenes that resonated with contemporary audiences.<\/p>\n

Chinese heritage carried on by the young minds<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another successful programme targeting a younger audience was July\u2019s concert, titled Innovative Music-making Journey to China: MO x e-Orch<\/em>, created by about 80 local primary school pupils, who are learning about digital music and part of a special music training programme run by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department\u2019s Music Office in collaboration with the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK).<\/p>\n

Four digital music orchestras (e-Orch), formed by the children, combined music and technology to perform both original compositions inspired by Chinese culture and rearrangements of traditional scores performed with the Music Office\u2019s Chinese music and string ensembles.<\/p>\n

\u201cI found the programme very innovative and energetic,\u201d said Ho Sze-wai, a conductor of participating St Rose of Lima\u2019s School, who is a trainee teacher at EdUHK.<\/p>\n

\u201cTraditional Chinese music may sound stuffy and even boring for young people. The integration of technology makes it sound more interesting and engaging. It\u2019s a playful way to help pupils understand and encourage them to continue the heritage.\u201d<\/p>\n

A city that \u2018embraces diversity\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Award-winning musician Zhao Taisheng, principal sanxian<\/em> player with Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, said the beauty of Chinese Culture Festival lies in its diverse offerings.<\/p>\n

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\"Zhao<\/div>
Zhao Taisheng (far left), principal sanxian player with Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, receives applause after the concert Taisheng and Huayin Lao Qiang: Big Uncle, Second Uncle are All His Uncles.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cIn this festival, you can find ancient Chinese music sharing the spotlight with modern jazz,\u201d he said, adding this included Chinese ancient rock \u2018n\u2019 roll, or Huayin Lao Qiang \u2013 a tradition of rhythmic, lusty folk singing and narration dating back over 2,000 years \u2013 now recognised on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List. \u201cThat diversity is fitting for Hong Kong, as it\u2019s a city that embraces hundreds of rivers. It\u2019s truly an inclusive metropolis.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zhao, named Artist of the Year (Music) at last year\u2019s Hong Kong Arts Development Awards, performed at the festival alongside the visiting Shaanxi Huayin Lao Qiang Troupe and members of a jazz band in a concert titled Taisheng and Huayin Lao Qiang: Big Uncle, Second Uncle are All His Uncles<\/em> and organised by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Hong Kong Member Association.<\/p>\n

Festival \u2018evolves with community\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lam said: \u201cThrough creativity, the second edition of the festival has preserved the profound essence of Chinese culture while addressing the needs and preferences of modern audiences. This has laid a solid foundation for establishing the festival as one of Hong Kong\u2019s flagship annual cultural events.\u201d<\/p>\n

The festival\u2019s success was achieved thanks to the joint efforts of the government, cultural institutions, business sector and the community, she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year, the Agricultural Bank of China Hong Kong Branch and non-government organisations Chamber of Young Snow and Paso a Paso Foundation have supported highlighted programmes and special events for the Chinese Culture Festival.<\/p>\n

\u201cSun Hung Kai Properties also provided the venue and promotion for the \u2018Encountering Chinese Culture\u2019 Carnival. We are very grateful for all the support from these partners and organisations, as well as friends from the media.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lam said next year\u2019s edition will build on this year\u2019s success and continue its mission to make traditional Chinese culture accessible and engaging for contemporary audiences.<\/p>\n

The organising team had already begun planning enhanced community outreach programmes and exploring new ways to involve Hong Kong\u2019s younger generation as active participants in cultural conservation, she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re committed to ensuring the festival evolves with our community while staying true to its core purpose,\u201d Lam said. \u201cEach edition will bring fresh perspectives on our rich Chinese culture to our audience.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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