Heartfelt thrust to boost economy

A giant red heart will float over Central until next Saturday so lovebirds can embrace the season of love as part of official efforts to promote the Hong Kong economy.

To celebrate Valentine's Day and the Lantern Festival, Chubby Hearts Hong Kong - created by British designer Anya Hindmarch - features the world's first massive floating red heart measuring approximately 12 meters in diameter at Central's Statue Square Gardens.

"Over the next 11 days larger-than-life, pop-up hearts will rise over scenic and landmark locations," Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said at the launch of the project yesterday, which is one of the mega events for the city.

"From leading regional and international trade fairs and exhibitions to world-class arts, culture and sports competitions and shows, we will create and attract a continuing flow of new and inviting experiences to Hong Kong," Lee added.

"These will spotlight our advantages as an events city center, promote our economy and reinforce Hong Kong's status as a must-visit global city - for business and investment as well as for tourism and nonstop entertainment."

Speaking after the event, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said Chubby Hearts Hong Kong is the first project supported by the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund this year, and it is hoped it will deliver fun for residents and attract tourists.

The Mega Arts and Cultural Events Committee, chaired by Adrian Cheng Chi-kong, was established last year with the aim of attracting and supporting international and large-scale arts and cultural events and to provide funding for events organized by the private sector or nongovernment organizations to build Hong Kong into an arts and cultural metropolis.

"I'm delighted to see the Chubby Hearts flying around the city, celebrating the love shared by all of us who call Hong Kong home," Cheng said.

"This spectacular project is curated to shine the genuine collaboration in bridging the East and West cultures. It spotlights Hong Kong as an open platform for creativity and talents, and it will always be."

Hindmarch said it was her dream to bring Chubby Hearts to Hong Kong and said "design has the power to bring people together, to spark conversation and to create lasting memories.

"With Chubby Hearts we wanted to celebrate love in all its forms and remind everyone that even in the midst of a bustling city there's always room for a little warmth and joy."

Lee later posted photos on Facebook in which he posed with wife Janet Lee Lam Lai-sim under the giant floating heart and making heart-shaped gestures.

People can also catch the pop-up displays of three-meter-wide floating red hearts at various landmarks and tourist attractions across the territory.

Pop-up displays yesterday took place at the Flower Market in Mong Kok, Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree in Tai Po and Belcher Bay Promenade in Kennedy Town.

Locations and timings of other pop-up displays will be announced every morning on curator Hong Kong Design Centre's website and social media platforms.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com

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