Disu Dang
In a world still reeling from the impact of the pandemic, initiatives that promote creativity, collaboration, and well-being are more crucial than ever. One such initiative is the Spark festival, a vibrant platform for cultural exchange between Hong Kong and the UK, organized by the British Council.
The inaugural festival took place in 2019 with a focus on creativity. The second edition, held online during the pandemic, celebrated connections across cultures. This year, Spark is gearing up for its third edition, Spark III, set to take place from October 18 to 20, focusing on health and well-being.
Susannah Morley, director of the British Council, emphasized the festival's relevance in today's world: "The pandemic has made the whole world rethink our approach to health and well-being, not just in Hong Kong or the UK, but globally."
This year's edition will feature more than 30 face-to-face and online events, including talks, performances, exhibitions, and symposiums, catering primarily to the 15 to 35 age group. However, as Morley emphasized, "It's really for everyone, as our strapline says, it's for the young at heart. We welcome everyone, old or young, regardless of their backgrounds."
One of the highlights of Spark III is Arcade, an interactive performance created by UK-based Casson & Friends in collaboration with Hong Kong's Unlock Dancing Plaza. This performance features short dance games that invite people of all ages to reconnect with the childlike joy of play.
"We hope to provide a different perspective on the theme of health and well-being, which is the importance of playing, of connections and community cohesion for mental health," said Tim Casson, director of Casson & Friends. "We've lost a little bit of this public connection during Covid, and Arcade is about encouraging people to reconnect in a gentle, friendly way."
Another key event in Spark III is This Place Has Its Own Air, a data-driven video installation that sheds light on the city's air quality. The project is presented by the Interactive Filmmaking Lab, in partnership with the Clean Air Network.
The installation uses real-time data on air pollutants to create a visual experience that raises awareness of environmental pollution.
"We really believe in the potential that interactivity and data can give us to transform the way we understand the world and communicate, but also to achieve change," said Polina Zioga, founder of Interactive Filmmaking Lab.
Catherine Weir, visual artist and researcher and the cocreator of the project, explained that the program aimed to make air pollution more tangible. "We're using this data to create an immersive experience, helping people to get to know the environment better and encouraging them to reflect on environmental issues."
Patrick Fung, chief executive officer of the Clean Air Network, said: "In a busy city like Hong Kong, the project provides a good setting for people to slow down and reconsider the issues of air pollution and the relationship between humans and nature."
Committed to promoting inclusivity, the festival has chosen Airside as a key venue, for its accessibility to people with disabilities. The festival will also offer simultaneous interpretation and subtitles in multiple languages, ensuring that the event is inclusive of all linguistic backgrounds.
Additionally, a text-only version of the program website will be available for those with special needs.
Morley said: "Inclusion is part of the British Council's DNA, and we always look at our work through it. We want to ensure that Spark is as accessible to a wider audience in terms of socioeconomic, education, and ethnicity."
More details and registration: https://www.britishcouncil.hk/en/programmes/spark-2024/events
disu.dang@singtaonewscorp.com
