The Asia+ Festival returns to Hong Kong this autumn, showcasing a stunning array of Asian and Belt and Road cultures at some of the city’s premier arts venues.
Running until 30 November, this annual event is now in its third edition. It features a record-breaking program, with over 100 performances from more than 30 countries and regions, reflecting the festival’s goal to promote cultural diversity and encourage collaboration across continents.
This year’s opening gala set the tone with an acclaimed theater production of Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard. Directed by international theater star Simon Stone, the show features a cast led by Cannes Best Actress Jeon Do-yeon and Squid Game’s Park Hae-soo. The production reimagined Chekhov’s Russian classic in contemporary Korea, exploring the struggles of a chaebol family. After a sold-out run in Seoul, Hong Kong audiences were the first outside Korea to experience this striking adaptation.
Among the highlights are the Hong Kong Philharmonic’s Belt and Road concerts featuring Maestro Long Yu with Uzbek pianist Behzod Abduraimov, Kyohei Sorita performing Tchaikovsky, and the Hong Kong Sinfonietta’s Great Piano Concertos: Alexander Gadjiev Plays Rachmaninov No 2. The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra presents Silken Notes of the Pipa, while international recitals include Russian pianist Nikolai Lugansky, Vietnamese virtuoso Dang Thai Son, and the Latvian cello-piano duo Mischa and Lily Maisky.
Dance also takes center stage, with German Cornejo’s troupe bringing Buenos Aires to life in Tango After Dark, showcasing Zulu music and dance from Africa, Japan’s renowned YAMATO ensemble delivering a powerful taiko performance on 40 drums, and Raed Abdelghany’s Whirling Colours – The Art of El Tanoura presenting Egypt’s Sufi dancers in vibrant devotion.
The world premiere of Strangely Familiar brings together artists from Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Macau in a cross-border contemporary piece, setting the stage for the highly-anticipated finale from the Hong Kong Dance Company, a martial arts-inspired dance drama honoring Bruce Lee’s legacy.
With its diverse range of voices and visions, the Asia+ Festival showcases Hong Kong’s position as a global cultural hub, so take the opportunity to experience some outstanding performances before the curtain falls.
Bernard Charnwut Chan is chairman of Tai Kwun Culture & Arts Co Ltd
