Asia+ Festival Celebrates Cultural Richness with Performances from 23 Asian Countries in Hong Kong.

Over 20 countries and regions showcase cultural riches at Asia+ Festival's Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances today

To develop Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, this year's Asia+ Festival, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), continues to collaborate with consulates general and overseas cultural organisations in Hong Kong to stage the Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances. This afternoon (November 10), a vast range of stage performances were held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza and Foyer. A total of 23 Asian and Belt and Road countries and regions participated in this edition. Artistic talent gathered to showcase their cultural riches through ethnic music and dances, costume displays, handicrafts and special snacks. The event was filled with cheers and attracted over32 000 citizens and tourists.

Addressing the Asia+ Festival ceremony, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, said that the festival was recognised as one of the items on the list of People's Livelihood and People-to-people Connectivity Projects at the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Asia+ strives to establish itself as an international cultural brand that contributes to cultural bonding and integration between countries and regions.

Other officiating guests at today's ceremony included Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Pan Yundong; the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Miss Eve Tam; the Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Nicholas Ho, and representatives from Consulates-General in Hong Kong of the participating countries of the Asia+ Festival. The ceremony was followed immediately by a series of ethnic stage performances, giving local audiences a glimpse of the diverse charms of Asian cultures.

Among the participating countries, Kuwait arranged for over 20 members from the Kuwaiti Orchestra Team and the Hamad Bin Hussein Folklore Performance Group to fly in from Kuwait to perform traditional Middle East instruments and ethnic dances for the first time. The groups also performed on November 8 and 9 at different places across the territory, as part of the Kuwaiti Culture, Art and Literature Week. This was a testament to Hong Kong's strengths as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.

Besides these offerings, the Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances also feature the "Sartorial Splendour - National Costume Exhibition" until November 17 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Foyer. On display are beautiful costumes and accessories that Asian people wear during festive events and celebratory performances. These include Bangladesh's Saree bridal gown, Kazakhstan's nomadic tribal clothing; Sri Lanka's village wedding costumes; China's bridal dress with dragon and phoenix embroideries; as well as wedding attire from Russia, Indonesia, Korea, Nepal and more. Members of the public are welcome to visit for free.

This year, a total of 23 countries andregions took part in the Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances, namely Hong Kong, China; Macao, China; Bangladesh; Cambodia; Indonesia; Japan; Kazakhstan; Korea; Kuwait; Laos; Malaysia; Mongolia; Myanmar; Nepal; Pakistan; the Philippines; Russia; Saudi Arabia; Singapore; Sri Lanka; Thailand; Türkiye and Vietnam.

​ Additionally, an online programme recapturing today's highlights will be broadcast on November 24 on the LCSD's Community Programmes Office website (www.cpo.gov.hk/activity/en-aecp-2024-carnival/).

The second Asia+ Festival is running from September to November, highlighting the arts and cultures of nearly 30 Asian and Belt and Road countries and regions. Apart from stage programmes, there are also thematic exhibitions, an outdoor carnival, film screenings, outreach activities and more, numbering over 100 in total. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visitasiaplus.gov.hk/2024/en/.

Over 20 countries and regions showcase cultural riches at Asia+ Festival's Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 20 countries and regions showcase cultural riches at Asia+ Festival's Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 20 countries and regions showcase cultural riches at Asia+ Festival's Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 20 countries and regions showcase cultural riches at Asia+ Festival's Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 20 countries and regions showcase cultural riches at Asia+ Festival's Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 20 countries and regions showcase cultural riches at Asia+ Festival's Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 20 countries and regions showcase cultural riches at Asia+ Festival's Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Over 20 countries and regions showcase cultural riches at Asia+ Festival's Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Special traffic arrangements for race meeting in Happy Valley

     Special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Happy Valley today (November 13). The arrangements will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

A. Traffic arrangements before the commencement of the first race

     The following road closure and traffic diversions will be implemented from 50 minutes before the start of the first race for day racing, or from 6pm onwards for night racing:

1. Road closure

     Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen’s Road East and the up-ramp outside the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) will be closed, except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel.

2. Traffic diversions

- Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the up-ramp outside the HKJC will be re-routed one way northbound;

- Traffic along eastbound Queen's Road East heading for Wan Chai and Happy Valley will be diverted to turn left to Morrison Hill Road;

- Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;

- Traffic along Queen's Road East cannot turn right to Wong Nai Chung Road, except for vehicles heading for Aberdeen Tunnel;

- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Queen's Road East will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Morrison Hill Road to turn right at the junction of Wong Nai Chung Road and Queen's Road East; and

- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley or Racecourse will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, southbound Morrison Hill Road, Sports Road and Wong Nai Chung Road.

B. Traffic arrangements before the conclusion of race meeting

     The following road closure and traffic diversions will be implemented from about 35 minutes before the start of the last race:

1. Road closure

- The up-ramp on Wong Nai Chung Road outside the HKJC leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;

- Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Queen's Road East and the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel;

- Southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Village Road and the Public Stands of the HKJC;

- Westbound Leighton Road between Wong Nai Chung Road and Canal Road East; and

- Southbound Morrison Hill Road between Leighton Road and Queen's Road East.

     In addition, southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between the up-ramp leading to Aberdeen Tunnel and the Public Stands of the HKJC will be closed from about 10 minutes before the start of the last race.

2. Traffic diversions

- Eastbound Queen's Road East at its junction with Morrison Hill Road will be reduced to one-lane traffic heading for northbound Canal Road flyover;

- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Wan Chai will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, U-turn slip road beneath Canal Road flyover, Canal Road West and Hennessy Road;

- Traffic from Cross Harbour Tunnel heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via the down-ramp leading from southbound Canal Road flyover to Canal Road East, eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road;

- Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road will be diverted to turn left to eastbound Leighton Road;

- Traffic along southbound Morrison Hill Road heading for Happy Valley will be diverted via eastbound Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road; and

- Traffic along westbound Leighton Road will be diverted to Wong Nai Chung Road.

C. Learner drivers prohibition

     Learner drivers will be prohibited to turn left from Caroline Hill Road to Leighton Road between one and a half hours before the start of the first race and one hour after the last race. In addition, learner drivers will be prohibited from accessing the following roads within the above period of time:

- Shan Kwong Road between Yik Yam Street and Wong Nai Chung Road;

- Village Road between its upper and lower junctions with Shan Kwong Road;

- Percival Street between Hennessy Road and Leighton Road;

- Canal Road East; and

- The service road leading from Gloucester Road to Canal Road flyover.

D. Suspension of parking spaces

     Parking spaces on southbound Wong Nai Chung Road between Sports Road and Blue Pool Road will be suspended from 11am to 7pm for day racing, and from 5pm to 11.59pm for night racing respectively.

     All vehicles parked illegally during the implementation of the above special traffic arrangements will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing.

     Actual implementation of road closure and traffic diversion will be made by the Police at the time depending on traffic conditions in the areas. Motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of Police on site.