Presented by Hong Kong Harmonica AssociationThe performance will run for about 1 hour and 15 minutes including a 15-minute intermission.Tickets available from 5 Jan 2026 at all URBTIX outlets, self-service ticketing kiosks, on internet, by mobile app and telephone.For details, please refer to the website of the presenter: Hong Kong Harmonica Association

2019 | Colour | 114′ | DCPDirector: Mika KaurismäkiScreenwriter: Hannu OravistoCinematographer: Jari MutikainenCast: Chu Pak-hong, Anna-Maija TuokkoIn English, Finnish and Putonghua with Chinese and English subtitles2019 Audience Prize, Lübeck Nordic Film DaysProfessional chef Cheng travels with his young son to a remote Finnish village looking for his friend but to no avail. Having nowhere to stay, Cheng is helped by the café owner Sirkka who offers him accommodation. In return he helps her in the kitchen surprising the locals and tourists with the delights of Chinese cuisine. He uses local ingredients to make delicious perch soup and reindeer bah-kut-teh, satisfying cravings, as well as healing body and soul. Café regulars reciprocate by introducing him to the joy of an authentic Finnish sauna. He finds a peaceful paradise in a foreign land away from the hustle and bustle, recovering from past traumas and rekindling passion. Before the release of My Prince Edward, actor Chu Pak-hong has already showcased his acting talent in the leading role of this foreign language film. Directed by Mika Kaurismäki (the elder brother of acclaimed Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki), with a feel-good fairy-tale ambience, Master Cheng serves a feast of cross-cultural love in scenic Finland through the theme of culinary art. 

For details, please refer to the facebook page of the presenter: Make Friends With Puppet

Hong Kong filmmakers and film workers of its golden age formed deep bonds with each other. Kindred spirits often became sworn brothers and sisters as an expression of their friendship and appreciation for each other. Such legendary alliances include ‘The Seven Idles’, a group of elite behind-the-scenes crew in the 1950s; the ‘Eight Peonies’, consisting of celebrated opera performers in the 1960s; and the opera starlets known for playing second female leads erbang huadans, who became the ‘Nine Big Sisters’. In 1965, seven young actresses—who all started out as child actors and were brought together by their shared journey in film—formed a sisterhood known as the famous ‘Seven Princesses’.The Seven Princesses, in order of seniority, were Fung So-bor, Shum Chi-wah, Connie Chan Po-chu, Josephine Siao Fong-fong, Nancy Sit Kar-yin, Wong Oi-ming, and Fung’s younger sibling, Fung Bo-bo. Each a star in her own right, these seven actresses often collaborated onscreen, and have shared an intimate, enduring sisterly bond offscreen for six decades.In commemoration of their 60th anniversary, the Hong Kong Film Archive presents a special programme, ‘Youthful Imprints’, spotlighting the early works of the Seven Princesses, including those made before and after their bond. Fifteen films will be screened across four categories: ‘Commemoration of Sisterhood’, ‘Signature Works’, ‘Youthful Love’, and ‘Shadows of Grace and Intrigue’.Though the seven actresses have appeared in many films in various pairings from a young age, only one film featured all of them together: Seven Princesses. This film, along with its sequel will be screened as part of ‘Commemoration of Sisterhood’. ‘Signature Works’ features one representative film per princess, showcasing defining moments of breakthrough in their careers, such as Connie Chan’s first lead role in a contemporary drama You Do Me Wrong (1966) and Nancy Sit’s debut as leading lady in Bunny Girl (1967). In the late 1960s, as the princesses grew up into young women, they stepped into roles that captured youthful dreams and romantic longing, as befitting their maidenly images. The four films in ‘Youthful Love’ alternate between charming and bittersweet tales of love, highlighting this period in the princesses’ careers. Finally, ‘Shadows of Grace and Intrigue’ captures the princesses’ martial prowess. Connie Chan, Josephine Siao and Shum Chi-wah trained under Peking opera master Fen Ju Hua, and their Northern-style martial arts skills are on full display in the selected action films, where they deliver unforgettable performances as heroines in costumes.The Archive has digitally scanned some selected films, which will be screened for the first time as part of this programme, offering cinephiles enhanced audio-visual quality. Select screenings will also feature post-screening talks with members of the Seven Princesses and film critics.

Presented by Blue Ka Wing LimitedTickets available from 11 December onwards at art-mate. The running time of each performance is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes without intermission.For details, please refer to the website of the presenter: Blue Ka Wing Limited

Hailed as one of the most exciting and innovative voices in Poland’s avant-garde theatre scene, Song of the Goat Theatre reimagines King Lear not as a linear drama but as a powerful oratorio - a theatrical ritual in which music transforms into character, relationship, and event. Directed by the company's co-founder Grzegorz Bral, Songs of Lear unfolds through a sequence of songs shaped as dramatic poem. Each draws on key moments from Shakespeare's tragedy, interweaving text fragments, vocal expression, and physical movement to reveal the emotional and spiritual core of Lear - minimalist in form yet profound and far-reaching in emotion.Following a triple award sweep at the 2012 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, including the Scotsman Fringe First, Herald Archangel and Musical Theatre Matters awards, and acclaimed tours across Europe and Asia, it now arrives in Hong Kong for its long-awaited debut.Narration in English with Chinese and English surtitles. Songs performed in multiple languages.

Why do the roles of mothers, maids and villainess often fall into the as mezzo-soprano range? And why are leading roles so often written for tenors and sopranos? Do basses ever get the chance to be the “leading man”? Each of us has a voice that’s uniquely our own, with its own tone, colour and personality. In Western classical music, voices are generally divided into four categories: soprano, alto, tenor and bass. That is just a rough guide based on vocal range, but in fact, there is a lot more to it than that. Some go further, looking into tone quality, vocal colour, tessitura, resonance, and even how a role’s dramatic demands shape the choice of voice. That is why we end up with all sorts of labels like coloratura, lyric, buffo, dramatic and heroic, making the world of voices wonderfully rich and full of surprises.In the Vocal Lecture Series: The Human Voice in 4 Parts, the speaker will lead participants on a journey through the four main voice types (in the order of B, A, S, T) to explore how each one brings a different kind of character to life on the opera stage. We will look at how composers decide which voice suits which role, and get to know some of the great singers who have become legends in their respective categories. Together, we will discover what makes their voices so distinctive and enjoy some of their unforgettable performances.Curator / Speaker: Chan Siu-kwan7 Jan 2026 (Wed)Lecture 1: BassIs every man who can’t hit high notes automatically a bass? Well, not quite. Between the tenor and the bass lies the baritone, and even that can be further divided into high and low baritones. We’ll find out what makes them different, and whether baritones or basses ever get to be the “leading man”.14 Jan 2026 (Wed)Lecture 2: AltoWhy do the roles of mothers, maids and villainesses so often fall into the mezzo-soprano or contralto range? And what are countertenors? They are fascinating male singers who sound almost like female altos? We’ll find out.21 Jan 2026 (Wed)Lecture 3: SopranoWhy is the soprano so often the “leading lady”? And does she always have to be the “good” one? Whether noble and elegant, tender and heartbroken, or strong and commanding — the soprano voice leaves her mark on every kind of role imaginable.28 Jan 2026 (Wed)Lecture 4: TenorIn the great Italian operas of the Romantic era, the leading man is almost always a tenor. What makes this voice type so irresistibly charming? And why is the famous “High C” such a prized gift among tenors?(Information provided by the speaker)Conducted in Cantonese. Each lecture will run for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Free seating. The programme does not represent the views of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.The presenter reserves the right to change the programme.

"Huqin Meets Jazz: A Musical Dialogue" is a music project centred on the traditional Chinese huqin, showcasing its distinctive timbre and rich cultural diversity. The huqin plays a vital role in Chinese regional music, evolving into various unique styles across different regions, including instruments like the erhu and gaohu. This project uses the huqin as a starting point to reimagine Chinese traditional music, popular music, and jazz standards through jazz-inspired arrangements. By blending the traditional with the modern, it explores the possibilities of integrating the huqin with Western musical genres. The project brings together musicians from diverse backgrounds to create a fresh musical language, inviting audiences on an auditory journey that transcends cultures and eras. The project is also one of the activities in the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. The LCSD has all along promoted Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public learn more about broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/tc/ccpo/index.html.

For programme information, please refer to the Chinese version.

To promote inclusiveness in the arts, veteran local dance artist and Artistic Advisor of the 'Dance for All' Community Care Inclusive Dance Scheme, Andy Wong Ting-lam, along with professional dancers, will perform alongside inclusive dance troupes and special school students at Piazza Area C, Hong Kong Cultural Centre.  Come and enjoy this vibrant showcase that celebrates inclusivity.  Free admission. ______________________________________________________________________The content of this programme does not represent the views of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department The presenter reserves the right to substitute artists and change the programme without prior notice should unavoidable circumstances make it necessary

Programme details please refer to the Chinese version.

This six-part lecture series explores the historical roots and aesthetic dimensions of traditional Chinese dance from a variety of perspectives. Audiences will be guided through its diverse genres, gaining a deeper appreciation for the art form’s richness and its profound connection with broader Chinese cultural traditions. Through this journey, participants will come to experience its beauty, rhythm, and spirit in full.12 January 2026 (Mon) Tracing a Long Tradition of Chinese Dance This session offers a brief history of ancient Chinese dance with a guided appreciation of classics through video excerpts, to illustrate the connections between dance and traditional Chinese cultural art forms.15 January 2026 (Thu) Yin and Yang in Motion #This session offers a brief history of Chinese classical dance and the aesthetic philosophy behind the genre, with guided appreciation of the unique physical dynamics of form.19 January 2026 (Mon) Vigour and Grace in Motion #This session will be a guided appreciation of the types of Chinese classical dance, highlighting the unique features and cultural characteristics such as the use of the sword and the fan, the fluidity of the ‘water sleeves’, and Dunhuang dances.22 January 2026 (Thu) The Vernacular Charm of Chinese Folk Dance # This session will be a guided appreciation of representative folk dances of the Han Chinese, including Northeastern Yangge, Shandong Yangge, Anhui drum lantern dance and Guangdong Yingge, as we explore the rich local customs and human landscapes that shaped them.26 January 2026 (Mon) A Tapestry of Ethnic Traditions #This session will be a guided appreciation of iconic minority ethnic dances in China – Tibetan, Mongolian, Uyghur, Korean and Dai. We will see how these dances reflect the distinct customs, landscapes, and aesthetics of each ethnic group.29 January 2026 (Thu) Chinese Dance Diaspora In this session, we take a look at the development of Chinese dance in Hong Kong with stakeholders of the dance sector as we share the visions of professional dance companies, educational institutions, community organizations, and independent producers. We will also explore the integration and innovation of Chinese dance within the context of local culture and how it maintains its unique charm in the whirlpool of cultures from the East and the West.#With live dance demonstration and music accompanimentConducted in PutonghuaFree SeatingEach lecture will run for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. (Information provided by the speaker)

2026 “Budding Musicians Showcase” Music Office Trainees’ Concerts The Budding Musicians Showcase series aims to provide opportunity for Intermediate and Advanced trainees of the Instrumental Music Training Scheme to take the stage for refining their performing skills, enriching experience in ensemble playing and enhancing self-confidence. The concerts feature a selection of enchanting Chinese and Western instrumental favorites, performed by the trainees of Chinese Music, Strings and Winds alongside the orchestral members and instructors of Music Office.

♪ Puppetry  ♫ Miniature sets  ♪ Cinematography  ♫ Live music✩  Outstanding Touring Production at Dora Awards 2023  ✩ The Storyville Mosquito is a live multi-media film production that is performed, filmed and scored in real time.  A team of 14 performers, musicians, foley artists and technicians bring the characters to life cinematically using 20 miniature sets, 75 puppets, 8 cameras, and screens onstage.A mosquito moves to the big city to pursue his dream of playing at the legendary music hall... What awaits him? The performance is filmed in one continuous take, accompanied by an original music soundtrack featuring a string trio and the multi-talented Canadian DJ Kid Koala on turntables, keyboards and electronics. Each performance is uniquely tailored, providing audience a one-of-a-kind theatre experience - watching both a live film on the screen and the “making of” on stage without a pause. ♪ Meet-the-artist session after each performance (In English with Cantonese Interpretation)♪ 7.2.2026(4pm) Stage Tour (In English with Cantonese Interpretation) $80♪ 7.2.2026(5pm) Meet-the-Puppet Session (Event details and exact location will be announced in due course)

For details, please refer to the facebook page of the presenter: Free-To-Play

✩ Best of Circus at Adelaide Fringe Weekly Award Winners 2024 & 2025 ✩✩ Outstanding Female Performer Winner at Asian Art Awards of Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024 ✩The story themed around ‘The Moon at Dawn (Hope)’. It was about a fantasy story of a girl lost in the underworld where she meets four sinister wizards in mysterious black garbs, who conjure magic with their diabolos, but the girl did not lose hope with the moon's guidance to find the path home.In this story full of fantasy and adventure, courage and faith help the girl overcome darkness and find her way home. The moon's guidance symbolizes hope, rekindling light in every heart amidst despair.▫️ The running time of each performance is approximately 1 hour without intermission.▫️ Suitable for ages 6 and above.▫️ Members of the audience are strongly advised to arrive punctually.  Latecomers and those who leave their seats during the performance will only be admitted and allowed to return to their seats respectively at a suitable break.  The presenter reserves the right to refuse admission of latecomers, or determine the time and manner of admission of latecomers.▫️ Performers have been professionally trained.  Audience is advised not to imitate their acts.▫️ The programme contains high‑frequency sounds, strobe lighting and darkened effect.▫️ The presenter reserves the right to change the programme and substitute artists without prior notice▫️ The programme does not represent the views of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.Fringe Activities🔸 23 Jan 2026 Meet-the-artist session after the first performance (In Japanese with Cantonese interpretation).🔸 21 Jan 2026 Workshop 1 - Childen Class (Best for ages 6-11)  (In Japanese with Cantonese interpretation).🔸 22 Jan 2026 Workshop 2 - Youth and Adult Classes (Best for ages 12 and above) (In Japanese with Cantonese interpretation).🔸 25 Jan 2026 Backstage Tour (Best for ages 6 or above) (In Japanese with Cantonese interpretation).

"Huqin Meets Jazz: A Musical Dialogue" is a music project centred on the traditional Chinese huqin, showcasing its distinctive timbre and rich cultural diversity. The huqin plays a vital role in Chinese regional music, evolving into various unique styles across different regions, including instruments like the erhu and gaohu. This project uses the huqin as a starting point to reimagine Chinese traditional music, popular music, and jazz standards through jazz-inspired arrangements. By blending the traditional with the modern, it explores the possibilities of integrating the huqin with Western musical genres. The project brings together musicians from diverse backgrounds to create a fresh musical language, inviting audiences on an auditory journey that transcends cultures and eras. The project is also one of the activities in the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. The LCSD has all along promoted Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public learn more about broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/tc/ccpo/index.html.

Travel back to Moscow in 1957! Embark on a heart-pounding journey into space with Laika, the clever and gentle stray puppy whose remarkable destiny made her the world’s first space explorer.This production blends diverse performance forms, including live rear projection, puppetry, automatons and shadow play. Audiences are transported to the Soviet Union of the 1950s, invited not only to relive an extraordinary chapter of history, but also to reflect on human progress and the deeper meaning of life.Since its premiere in 2018, Laika has become one of Xirriquiteula Teatre’s signature works. The play has been adapted into 12 languages, performed more than 400 times across Europe and Asia, and honoured with multiple awards, including the 2021 MAX Award for Best Show for Family Audiences. ⁎ ⁎ ⁎ In English with Chinese and English surtitlesSuitable for ages 6 and aboveThe performance will run for about 55 minutes without intermissionMeet-the-artist session after each performance (In Spanish with English and Cantonese Interpretation)

Over a century ago, when the Lumière Brothers first screened films for the public, alongside the renowned The Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat, there was also Le Repas de bébé, capturing footage of Auguste Lumière feeding his daughter. In that forty seconds, it recorded not only food consumption, but also a precious moment of parent-child bonding. From this short film onwards, countless films centred on food have been produced, with various suggestions readily available online. The finest among them explore more than mere chewing and digestion. Food transcends from being a source of nutrition; it connects to emotions, culture, history, identity, and belonging. It has the power to bring people together and evoke our feelings and memories.If one were to transform a food movie playlist into a cuisine menu, the light-hearted Kamome Diner would make an ideal starter. Serving up delectable bites, it draws strangers closer, fostering unexpected friendships in the homeland of the Moomins. The Lunchbox is another touching tale, where a misdelivered lunchbox sparks heartful exchange between two strangers. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner tells a pre-meal story itself, tackling serious themes with light-hearted humour. Toast also serves as an appetiser, as the son traces the origins of his culinary passion through his childhood recollections.As for main course, Babette’s Feast and Big Night could hardly be more fitting. Both depict individuals in foreign lands preparing lavish feasts originating from their homeland, treating culinary delights as divine blessings. Julie & Julia and Cooking History both use cookbooks as conduits to explore deeper themes. The former uses a cookbook to bridge two eras, invoking a dialogue between women across generation and time; the latter employs recipes to weave together six historical segments, tracing the stories of military cooks and soldiers to observe shifting tides through kitchen windows. First Cow also delves into history, tracing back to the American frontier era to depict two men’s culinary entrepreneurial dreams.For dessert, comedies may offer some light-hearted delights. Tampopo indulges in dark humour, brimming with exaggerated satire that remains rich without being overpowering, sweet at an amount that is just right. The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover could also be viewed as a black comedy on the absurd side while masterfully blending cuisine with love and hatred. The Chinese Feast not only fulfils the requirements of a festive comedy but also combines culinary themes with kung fu and wuxia elements. Though not a comedy, Boiling Point features a seamless single-take rhythm, making it a delightful after-dinner treat that lingers in the memory.Today’s special selection features Master Cheng, starring Chu Pak-hong. Like Kamome Diner, it was also filmed in Finland, setting against the soothing landscapes of Scandinavia. It will be screened at the East Kowloon Cultural Centre (EKCC). Concurrently, the enrichment programme “Bon Cinéppétit!” invites audiences to share memorable flavours remind them of these fourteen films, which will be compiled into a display at the EKCC and online. Participating viewers could earn free tickets to a delectable “Grand Finale”, a multi-sensory screening of Ratatouille and An. The former, a family-friendly animation, conveys the universal aspiration that anyone can cook; the latter, through the story of a dorayaki shop, captures insights into life, mutual understanding, and care between people.Special thanks to the four art directors for taking time to attend the seminars, and heartfelt gratitude to all guest speakers for agreeing to participate in the post-screening talks. We hope this diverse menu of film genres and styles invites audiences to join us for a feast for the eyes, ears and taste buds. Let’s embark on a soul-stirring journey of flavours.Curator｜Ernest Chan