A French artist’s illustrated love affair with Cantonese life to be showcased at Hong Kong Book Fair
After years of persistent study and awkward ventures into karaoke bars, Christine Cappio became fluent in Cantonese, enabling a sense of belonging that eludes many foreigners in Hong Kong
When she was an art student Christine Cappio sold tripe in a Parisian market to save up for a trip to her boyfriend’s far-flung hometown. The gig paid for self-professed country girl Cappio’s first flight to Hong Kong – which would ignite a love affair with the Cantonese world.
Cappio moved to the city in 1986 with then boyfriend, now husband Stephen Cheung, and never looked back. Professor Cheung rose the ranks to become president of the Education University while Cappio immersed herself in local culture, taking on creative, teaching and charity projects.
After years of persistent study and awkward ventures into karaoke bars with friends and family, she became fluent in Cantonese, enabling a sense of belonging that can elude many foreigners coming to Hong Kong – particularly those whose native tongue is not English.
“Back when I first arrived, it was easier to get totally absorbed in the culture” she said. “There was no French radio, no French TV, you felt really cut off.”
She recalled the move as thrilling, buoyed by the confidence she said came with being “young and in love.”
She remembered the sensory overload of arriving at Kai Tak airport, with the humidity, salty sea air and smell of fish drying in the summer sun mingling with frenetic crowds and honking rows of red and green taxis.
