The opening ceremony for Hong Kong Week 2023@Bangkok was held today (October 21, Bangkok time) at the Prince Mahidol Hall in Thailand. The opening concert, “Shostakovich Piano Concerto” performed by Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) under the baton of resident conductor Lio Kuokman, brought enchanting melodies to the local audience. The concert also included joint performance featuring renowned Thai pianist Poom Prommachart and the HK Phil’s principal trumpet Nitiphum Bamrungbanthum who is also from Thailand. The performance, which marked the grand opening of Hong Kong Week, was well received by the local audience.
 
     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, addressed the opening ceremony in a video message, saying that as a metropolis blending Chinese and Western cultures, Hong Kong believes that people-to-people bond could be fostered by cultural exchange. He said that Hong Kong is eager to share its artistic achievements with the world and endeavours to capitalise on its unique strengths as a conduit between the Mainland and the rest of the world, bringing quality artworks encompassing rich Chinese culture to more overseas cities.
 
     Addressing the opening ceremony, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, said that Hong Kong Week 2023@Bangkok offers a wide variety of programmes covering music, dance, intangible cultural heritage, film and fashion to showcase the essence of Hong Kong’s East-meets-West cultural DNA, and its Chinese and Hong Kong stories and aesthetics.
 
     Hong Kong Week 2023@Bangkok is the first overseas cultural exchange extravaganza organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). It is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Kingdom of Thailand. Other officiating guests attending the opening ceremony included the Minister of Culture, Kingdom of Thailand, Mr Sermsak Pongpanit; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Vincent Liu; the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra, Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul; the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok, Mr Parson Lam; the Dean of the College of Music of the Mahidol University, Dr Narong Prangcharoen; and the Chief Executive of the HK Phil, Mr Benedikt Fohr.
 
     Apart from the opening concert, Hong Kong Week will bring a diverse array of programmes for audiences in Thailand from today to November 12. They include a chamber concert “Brass and Percussion” by the brass and percussion sections of the HK Phil and the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra; a dance performance “Convergence” by the Hong Kong Dance Company; two chamber music concerts by the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, including one with students from the Mahidol University; pop music performances “Pop Beat by SENZA A Cappella” and “Pop Beat by Respire and Friends”; “Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Carnival” exhibition; film programme “Movies to GO – Border Crossings in Hong Kong Cinema – Thailand”; “Next Generation: Emerging Directors Exhibition & Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation” and “JUXTAPOSED 2023 Hong Kong Fashion in Bangkok” fashion exhibition and fashion show.
 
     For more programme information, please visit www.hongkongweek.gov.hk.
 
     In addition to Hong Kong Week 2023@Bangkok, the LCSD is also organising various cultural exchange activities. They include the Asia+ Festival, the New Vision Arts Festival and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival and more, promoting the cultural exchanges and co-operation of different places.