Airport runs arts festival

Yu Wing Chan

The Hong Kong International Airport has launched arts and culture festival, bringing the city's diverse arts scene to passengers, in collaboration with major local artists and art institutions.

Organized by the Airport Authority, the opening ceremony of the festival was hosted at Arrivals Hall B in Terminal 1 yesterday, beginning with a performance from local a cappella group VSing.

"From now until the end of October, four exhibitions will be hosted at the airport, ranging from traditional crafts to contemporary digital art," said Vivian Cheung Kar-fay, the authority's acting chief executive officer.

One of the highlights of the festival is the Hong Kong Artisan Avenue - located at Arrivals Hall B - which allows visitors to explore the city's traditional crafts and unique cultural experiences, including flower board crafting, Hong Kong-style milk tea, dim sum, bamboo steamers, mahjong tile making, and Lee Hon Kong Kai calligraphy.

Lee, a Singaporean tourist who recently arrived in Hong Kong, said such installations were very attractive. "The exhibition really drew our attention, that's why we came over here to take some pictures," she said.

Devanshi, a college student passing through the airport during her layover to Canada, said: "I enjoy exploring things, and the interactive aspect was something I liked." She added that the experience could be improved with the addition of guides.

At the exhibition, visitors can take home souvenirs such as postcards featuring Hong Kong street scenes and personalize them with Lee Hon Kong Kai calligraphy stamps. Luggage stickers designed by local illustrator Don Mak are also available.

"I like the 'expert traveler' and the 'I love Hong Kong' stamps," said a young mainland tourist, Hang, who was ecstatic to bring home the free postcards.

The festival also includes three other exhibitions, such as a display of more than 20 watercolor pieces from local artist Kong Kai-ming. Visitors can also interact with the "Traversing Past and Future," installation where they can create their own animations by selecting their favorite paintings, materials and color palettes.