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Things to do in Hong Kong, including sports, festivals, and markets
For 16 years, Le French May has brought an early summer breeze of Gallic culture to our city. Overseen by the French consulate of Hong Kong, the festival’s considerable array of events encompasses opera, dance, fine art, film, and music, both classical and contemporary.
A notable highlight of this year’s programme, to celebrate 160 years of Hong Kong enjoying a French presence in the city, is Paris 1730-1930: A Taste for China, which is being coordinated by the Museum of Art and the Musée Guimet in Paris in collaboration with the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong. This show details how Chinese art invigorated artistic and intellectual movements during a particularly creatively fruitful period of French history. Over 170 works, including Chinese porcelain, lacquer, bronze-work artifacts, furniture, drawings, prints, and paintings are to be displayed, making the connection between two great civilizations. In addition to selected items from the collection of Musée Guimet, the show will include items from Parisian institutions the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, and the Centre Pompidou. Musée des Arts décoratifs, Musée Carnavalet, Paris.
As always, Le French May has a strong musical component this year. There’s a veritable French invasion on May 2, with three hot bands – Hushpuppies, Balbec, and The Lovesong – rocking out at Sheung Wan Civic Centre. Other highlights include a show by innovative recording artist Keren Ann, and classical performances by the the National Orchestra of the Pays de la Loire under the helm of director Isaac Karabtchevsky.
No Le French May would be complete without French cinema, and this year there’s a full quota of timeless classics, including special screenings of gems such as Jean-Luc Godard’s La Chinoise (1967) and Robert Bresson’s Le Diable Probablement (1977).
Meanwhile, highly anticipated circus show Rain/Bow promises a fusion of juggling ballet and circus art. Choreographed by Jérôme Thomas, this show – enormously popular in its country of origin – has been performed more than 100 times in the past two years. Its programme includes un petit morceau of everything – rather like Le French May itself.
See listings for events and ticketing details.
More at Le French May's website.