New HK Dragon shines brightly at OzAsia Festival in Adelaide

Illuminated across the River Torrens of Adelaide, Australia, the spectacular 40-meter-long new Hong Kong Dragon Lantern is taking center stage at the Moon Lantern Trail of the OzAsia Festival from Oct. 24 to 27, showcasing HK's vibrant role as an East-meets-West center for international cultural exchange as well as celebrating the artistic synergy between HK and Australia.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney (Sydney ETO) is again supporting the OzAsia Festival with a view to promoting the unique arts and cultural scene in HK. This year, in collaboration with the organizer of the Festival, the Adelaide Festival Centre (AFC), Sydney ETO presented the new HK Dragon Lantern with a concept from a HK artist to foster arts and cultural exchanges between HK and Adelaide.

Addressing more than 200 guests at the OzAsia Festival Opening Night, the Director of the Sydney ETO, Mr. Ricky Chong, said that 2024 marks the 15th year of partnership between Sydney ETO and the AFC. He is delighted to witness this milestone and celebrate the debut of the new HK Dragon Lantern. "Sydney ETO treasures the opportunity for cultural exchanges between HK and Australia. Over the years, we have supported numerous initiatives to help HK fulfill its role as an East-meets-West center for international cultural exchange under the National 14th Five-Year Plan, which includes supporting arts groups and delegations traveling between HK and Australia to bring our art communities closer together," Mr. Chong said.

He also introduced the key measures announced in "The Chief Executive's 2024 Policy Address" for bolstering the cultural and creative industries. "The West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD), one of the largest arts and cultural projects in the world, provides over 20 professional venues capable of hosting a wide range of events. With a view to branding the WKCD as a must-visit landmark for cultural and creative tourism, the Government will roll out more special-experience activities and step up worldwide promotions in collaboration with the HK Tourism Board to bring in more tourists," Mr. Chong added.

Mr. Chong also shared with the participants the latest initiatives in the Policy Address to attract top-notch talent to HK, including updating the Talent List, expanding the list of universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme and extending the validity period of the first visa of high-income talent under the scheme to three years.

Held annually over three weeks (Oct. 24 to Nov. 10) in spring in the southern hemisphere, the OzAsia Festival is Australia's leading contemporary arts festival that engages with Asia. This year's festival showcases various forms of arts and culture, including theatre, dance, music, visual arts, literature, cuisine and cultural events from across Asia. The vibrant line-up features over 300 artists from Australia and abroad including HK, with seven world premieres to be staged.

Related News:

HKETO, Brussels hosts HK Film Night in Amsterdam to promote film industry

HKMH to display early Chinese photography collection donated by Moonchu Foundation