HONGKONG, CHINA -  MediaOutReach  - 13 September 2019 - Thefifth edition of "Hong Kong Culture Festival", organised by Intangible Cultural Heritage EarthpulseSociety and supported by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department(LCSD), will take place from September till November 2019.

FromLeft: Ms Juliana Lam, Managing Director of Julius Group; Mr Zhao Zhijun and MrWucius Wong, Curators of two Hong Kong Ink Art Walk 2019 exhibitions, and MrHing Chao, Chairman of Intangible Cultural Heritage Earthpulse Society attendedthe press conference of Hong Kong Culture Festival 2019.

The press conference of Hong Kong CultureFestival 2019 was held on September 12 at City Garden Hotel. At the pressconference, Mr Hing Chao, Chairman of Intangible Cultural Heritage EarthpulseSociety introduced the event concept while Mr Wucius Wong and Mr Zhao Zhijun,curators of two HongKong Ink Art Walk 2019 exhibitions shared their insights on art, and MasterTam presented the rarely seen performance of Lion Dance Theatre. Sponsors andorganisers attending the event including Ms Esa Leung, Head of IntangibleCultural Heritage Office; Ms. Juliana Lam, Managing Director of Julius Group; Mr.Zhou Jianfeng, Managing Director of Wah Kwong Maritime Transport HoldingsLimited; Ms. Annie Jea, General Manager of City Garden Hotel; Ms. Jolie Lo, Sales Administration Manager ofCelestial Pictures Limited; Mr. Park Jongtaek, Director of Korean CulturalCenter in Hong Kong; Dr. Mui Kwong Chiu, renowned composer in HongKong; Dr. Celina Chin, Executive Director of Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra;Master Anthony Lam, Grandmaster of Lam Chun Fai Hung Kuen Academy; Master TamTing Pong, Chairman of Hong Kong Dragon Lion Unicorn Pai Yau Dances SportAssociation and Master Nam Yuk Tong, Chairman of Hakka Kung Fu Culture ResearchSociety.

Thisyear, the organiser will collaborate with Inner Mongolia, South Korea and Japanfor various culturalprogrammes. These unique crossovers inspired the organiser to promote theseunique cultures representing the different facets of the orient. Under thetheme "Oriental Impressions", the festival presents a rich array ofprogrammes, such as visual and performance arts, to showcase the cultural gemsof the Orient and to enhance public awareness about intangible culturalheritage.

Among all the artistic showcases dedicated to intangible culturalheritage, for the first time, "Hong Kong Ink Art Walk 2019" will takeplace in September and October, bringing distinguished ink artworks fromleading galleries in the city to the Hong Kong audience. The programme thisyear is presented by Sino Group. Through this platform, it is aimed tosummarise the fruits of their cultural exchanges in other cities,breaking out the existing mode by comprising different elements and creatinginteresting art form fusions. Curated by ink artist Wucius Wong, "Hong KongWaters Korean Mountains: Hong Kong and Korea Exchange Art Exhibition" is avisual summary of a cultural trip of a group of Hong Kong artists who, underWong's leadership, travelled to Jeju Island, South Korea, for landscapepainting. These paintings indulge the audience in the scenic beauty of HongKong waters and Korean mountains. "Cacophony of Colours between theFragrant Harbour and the Steppe: Hong Kong and Inner Mongolia Water ColourExhibition" presents extraordinary watercolour paintings by cross-regionalartists led by Zhao Zhijun, influential artist, portraying life in InnerMongolia and Hong Kong.

Thespectacular programme of performing arts will definitely keep the audience atthe edge of their seats -- especially the religion-meets-culture "Joy inMysterious Music". Performed by the Hong Kong Taoist Orchestra ofFung Ying Seen Koon, it reinterprets the traditional aesthetics of Taoist andChinese music by blending in an engaging narrative, taking the audience on afascinating journey to an ancient oriental empire. The organisers will alsoteam up with Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra to stage the "17^th HongKong Synergy 24 Drum Competition -- Lion Dance Drum Section" -- a performanceabout Chinese traditional Lion Dance Drumming.

Anotherhighlight is "Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Mart", a three-daymarket packed with traditional ICH performances, putting the most valuableessences of traditional folk arts on the stage. Definitely unmissable is "HongKong Dragon and Lion Dance Fiesta", featuring lion and dragon dances aswell as the Lion Dance Theatre combininglion dance, martial arts and feng shui, while "Hakka Unicorn Danceand Kung Fu Carnival", performing by Hakka Kung Fu Research Society tobring back the traditional Unicorn Dance passed down by local Hakka villages2,500 years ago. This year's festival is also honoured by the participation ofthe Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong - two Korean Buddhist monks will visitthe city to give an enlightening "Korean Buddhist Monks DrummingPerformance" at ICH Mart Opening Ceremony - a spiritual voyagearound the world of Korean Buddhism. The programme is also enriched by HongKong's traditional cultural gems, such as "Nanyin Performance", abreathtaking showcase of the traditional Chinese 'Southern tunes'; "Glove andLine Puppets Performance", which revives the ancient art of the Chinesepuppet shows; and -- for the first time -- "Culture of Traditional ChineseMedicine" -- a versatile section comprising health consultation, therapeuticherbal teas and traditional Chinese Dit Da. Therewill also be a fun-packed series of workshops related toeach performance for the public toexplore the local and foreign intangible cultural heritage.

The 3^rd International Lingnan HungKuen Festival will be organisedby LamChun Fai Hung Kuen Academy, withworkshop and seminar. The 3^rd Hung Kuen Competition will take placeon the next day following with a Classical Chinese Kung Fu Film Screening MartialClub presented by Celestial Pictures.

Hong Kong Culture Festival aims to preserve and revitaliseintangible cultural heritage by promoting public awareness and engagement intraditional culture -- especially the youth. As an integrated platform forcross-cultural collaboration, Hong Kong Culture Festival is dedicated tofostering creative talents and injecting innovation into the traditionalculture.

Programmes of HKCF2019