China’s Greater Bay Area scheme opens up doors for Hong Kong musicians with HK$140 million cultural exchange programme
- Eleven local performing arts groups undertake government-funded tours of glitzy concert halls in the region
Hong Kong’s arts and culture sector has been taking advantage of China’s “Greater Bay Area” plan, with a government-funded programme sending 11 local performing arts groups on tours of glitzy concert halls in the region.
Engineered by the city’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), musicians ranging from a jazz band to a full symphony orchestra have put on shows since November across neighbouring Guangdong.
The tours were made possible by a HK$140 million (US$17.85 million) cultural exchange programme spanning the next five years, which was promised in last year’s Hong Kong budget.
“We spearhead the exchanges in many ways, such as in artistic resources and management experiences, with hand-picked performing groups of proven quality,” Elaine Yeung Chi-lan, the LCSD’s assistant director, said.
“We hope these exchanges will build many cultural bridges that are mutually beneficial, as there are things we can learn from each other.”