French May Arts Festival 2023

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Marking its 30th anniversary, French May Arts Festival 2023 is delighted to announce the launch of this year’s programmes under the theme ‘PULSARTE’. Tickets are available for purchase and the festival runs from April to June. PULSARTE is generously supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust alongside other patrons and partners.

Representing Pulse, Connection and Growth, PULSARTE positions Hong Kong as a cultural destination that pulsates, engages and nurtures local and international communities, fostering creation, collaboration and artistic exchange across genres, borders and beyond. A meeting of Hong Kong and France, PULSARTE forges cultural connections across the realms of dance, theatre, music, art and more, with over 100 programmes created for the festival.

This year’s highlighted programmes include:

Virtually Versailles — Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department andFrench May Arts Festival, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and the Palace of Versailles, and with major support of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, this interactive exhibition combines the past and present, reimagines heritage and future, and reconnects old and new, taking visitors on a virtual journey and delving into the majestic world of the Estate of Versailles.

Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels — Launched in 2020 by Van Cleef & Arpels, this dynamic contemporary dance programme supports and presents cutting-edge original pieces and leading repertory productions from a selection of international choreographers and dancers. Celebrating the world of contemporary dance as a powerful field of human expression, the Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels initiative is a must for anyone interested in the dance universe, and a world class entry point to the medium for anyone with an open mind. The 2023 Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels Festival is presented in Hong Kong in collaboration with French May Arts Festival, with nine programmes across public spaces and leading performance venues, as well as workshops and a film screening, the programme encourages individuals to explore their own relationship with the choreographic field through a variety of mediums. To see the full programme please visit https://www.dancereflections-vancleefarpels.com/en/hong-kong<

Harmony of Two Pianos – Niu Niu and Théo Fouchenneret — On 12 May, internationally acclaimed pianists Niu Niu and Théo Fouchenneret will perform their inaugural long-awaited piano duet recital at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall

Philip Glass Quatuor à cordes No.9 King Lear – One of the world’s most influential composers, Philip Glass’ exceptional collaboration with Tana String Quartet, hailed as “impeccable players” by The Guardian, created String Quartet No.9 based on the original score King Lear. On 5 and 6 May, audiences at Hong Kong City Hall can enjoy a concert of the play’s score in Glass’ ninth work for the string quartet, a medium he employs to great effect to depict the turbulence, violence and despair at the heart of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy.

Olivier Cong: His Temple — On 10 June at the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall, musician Olivier Cong will collaborate with Karena Lam, ambassador of the French May Arts Festival, choreographer Ong Yong Lock and Zelia ZZ Tam to create a dialogue of contemporary music and dance inspired by Guy de Maupassant’s short story Clair de Lune.

Keren Ann & Debussy String Quartet — on 23 June at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre, cosmopolitan singer-songwriter-composer Keren Ann together with the Debussy String Quartet will perform the closing concert of PULSARTE with their alchemy of sensual electric guitar and elegant strings. Together, they will perform all-new original versions of Keren Ann’s classics such as Not Going Anywhere, Strange Weather and Jardin d’Hiver.

Let the Mirror Speak — Supported by the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, this two-year Hong Kong-France theatre exchange project features two playwrights and directors, Nicolas Kerszenbaum from France and Wu Hoi Fai from Hong Kong, in parallel. It showcases their existing theatre works, multi-phase artist residencies, educational activities, and new theatre creations in both Hong Kong and Paris.Under French Rendezvous@Tai Kwun launched last year, exclusive sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the Archibald Caramantran Company presents a performance featuring giant puppets, De La Fontaine, at the Parade Ground, with a thought-provoking fable to Hong Kong. Also, the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau and Tai Kwun will co-present Tai Kwun Conversation – Heritage in Times of War. This talk highlights the importance of cultural heritage conservation in conflict- affected areas, and introduces actual fieldworks and innovations to trace the journey of heritage preservation in times of war.PULSARTE also includes music programmes such as Swire Maestro Series: Stéphane Denève Conducts The Organ Symphony by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, and four programmes by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, including Great Piano Concertos: Jean-Efflam Bavouzet Plays Beethoven; Jean-Efflam Bavouzet Piano Recital; Julien Libeer Piano Recital JS Bach & Beyond – A Well-Tempered Conversation; and Great Piano Concertos: Julien Libeer Plays Poulenc, as well as Verona Quartet – Ravishing Ravel and Musica Viva x French May – Piano Virtuosi In Paris co-presented by Premiere Performances Hong Kong.

Besides the highlighted programmes, this year’s French May Arts Festival also includes over 40 associated projects spanning genres including modern and contemporary art, photography, culture and lifestyle, music, dance, theatre and cinema. A selection of not-to-be-missed programmes include: Gao Xingjian: Inner Vision 2023, the 9th solo exhibition of the Nobel laureate and renowned French-Chinese artist, playwright and author presented by Alisan Fine Arts; organised by Whitestone Gallery, Windows of the Soul features works by French artists Marion Flament, Jean Marie Haessle, Béchir Boussandel and Baptiste Tavernier; and Marc Riboud – From France to China, presented by f22 foto space, featuring works by one of the most celebrated French photographers that foster an exciting cultural exchange between the two countries.

For its seventh year of partnership with French May Arts Festival, Lawsgroup’s collaboration celebrates French fashion and photography with Laws Knitters and the iconic French brand agnès b. Presenting images captured by Agnès herself, the exhibition transforms street photography into elegant fashion pieces, alongside Laws Knitters’ bespoke limited-edition knit-art creations inspired by the iconic agnès b. symbols, bringing French chic and creativity to the community.

For the third consecutive year, French May Arts Festival partners with Chinachem Group to present artistic and gastronomic delights throughout May and June. Jointly presented with French GourMay, the French Traditional Gourmet Market at Central Market and NINA MALL will transport visitors to France through French culture and delicacies, presenting an array of unique products by local and international artisans. At the same time, in anticipation of the 2023 opening of Nina Park, Hong Kong’s first museum-grade fossil garden, Chinachem Group and French May Arts Festival present Waterlight Graffiti by Antonin Fourneau, to raise awareness around sustainability issues with live artworks created on an innovative water- activated canvas.