With Xi'an in focus, culture festival expects 1m visits

Cheng Wong

The Chinese Culture Festival 2025 from June to September will feature over 280 events encompassing music, dance and multimedia performances, with expected attendance surpassing one million.

Ivy Ngai Suk-yee, chief manager of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's cultural presentations section, said some 3,000 international and national artists have been invited, with around HK$20 million allocated for the festival's organization, alongside existing resources.

She said this year's theme is "Words" - which complements literature and art, promotes the dissemination of Chinese culture, and influences ethnic thought and values, fostering exchange and integration.

Ngai said the festival seeks to emphasize the innovation and evolution of Chinese culture through the harmonious blend of contemporary dance, poetry, and calligraphy.

A contemporary dance poetry drama, Dongpo: Life in Poems, will be the opening program, scheduled for June 13 and 14 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

Ngai said a tea culture series, covering Cantonese stage plays, music, and exhibitions, will be featured to deepen public understanding of tea culture.

This year's city in focus is Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province. to be showcased are over a hundred relics and acrobatic ballet performances to allow audiences to explore local cultural history and promote exchange and cooperation.

Tickets will be available from April 15 on URBTIX, with a 30 percent discount on purchases during the limited-time offer period until April 30.