Multination artists spread joy through festival drum beats and tunes from Hong Kong

Artists from several nations join Hong Kong amateur performers in sending drum beats, sound music and joy across the world on Saturday from a music festival featuring drum performances and an open and live concert held in Hong Kong.

From morning till evening, the Arts Park of the West Kowloon Cultural District was filled with drum music, resounding throughout Victoria Harbour.

Organised by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and presented by Chinachem Group, "One Beat, One World: Connecting Through the Drum" Carnival and 5G Live Concert attracted thousands of visitors and audience members to participate in drumming activities and enjoy wonderful performances.

Professional artists from Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland, South Korea, Ghana, Mozambique, Uzbekistan, Japan and the United States joined Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra performers in presenting a live concert of integrated styles from that was streamed via social media and broadcast on screens in Ghana, England and the United States.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Hong Kong Drum Festival launched by Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, the most sought-after event of the programme presented by Chinachem Group was held with the aim of spreading the positive spirit through the power of drumming, and re- establishing the reputation of Hong Kong as the "events capital".

John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, first kicked off the event with his video greeting and gave his recognition to the event as it serves as a good example in advancing the positive interplay between culture and tourism.

"Visitors and members of the public can enjoy the view of Victoria Harbour while enjoying drumming in the West Kowloon Cultural District," he said, adding that concert was broadcast live to global audiences in 5G to "promote Hong Kong's image as a high-quality tourist city and a fusion of Chinese and Western culture".

Professor Yan Huichang, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor for Life, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, said: "HKCO will continue to bring musical feasts to the public and promoting fine Chinese and Hong Kong stories."

It was Yan who started Hong Kong Drum Festival in 2003 to inspire the public and enliven the city's mood after it was hit hard by SARS epidemic. HKCO is grateful to the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Hong Kong Tourism Board and Chinachem Group for their support, he said.

Chinachem Group's executive director and CEO, Donald Choi, stated, "Committed to supporting and fostering arts and culture, Chinachem Group believes in the power of art which can inspire and enhance life qualities."

The group's drum team led by Choi himself, the first corporate drum team in the special administrative region, delivered a performance at the festival.

"We are honoured to collaborate with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, the world-class orchestra, for the first time, to present an enthralling series of activities," Choi also noted, adding that those events bear the aims of connecting citizens from all walks of life, promoting mental well-being, and injecting positive energy into our society.

This signature event featured various exciting activities, like the setup of a giant 3.47-metre-tall Peace Drum for everyone to play, the stage performance made by the winning teams of the Hong Kong Synergy 24 Drum Competition, the parade performed by the drumming teams recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage of China, including Yan'an City An'sai Waist Drum Troupe from Shaanxi province, Chengnan Zhongjing Yingge Team from Shantou, Guangdong province and Shanxi Jiangzhou Drum Troupe.

As an event of free admission, visitors also participated in and enjoyed a wide range of activities like drumming workshops, game booths, food and drink counters, for spending a happy weekend with friends and families. The on-site audience received a Bolan Gu (Chinese rattle drum) to play music with the performers on stage.

The not-to-be-missed grand finale live concert also showcased outstanding drum performances from around the world. Artistic Director Yan Huichang led the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra in collaboration with renowned virtousi from all over the world, including Dori from the Republic of Korea, Yosuke Oda from Japan, Azaguno from Africa, Abbos Group from Uzbekistan and Anthony Fernandes from the United States.

The concert was live-streamed via 5G to reach a global audience at Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra Youtube Channel, RTHK TV 32 and live broadcasting at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall and Room A504, Yuen Long District Community Services Building.

Officiating guests of "One Beat, One World: Connecting Through the Drum" Carnival and 5G Live Concert included government officials, legislative council members, senior figures from Chinachem Group and Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra.

Guests also included Consuls from various countries, socialites and renowned persons from cultural and business fields.

Over the decades, the festival has enabled people from all walks of life, including schoolchildren, disabled elderly, and lion and dragon dance troupes, to understand and experience the beauty of Chinese music and culture.

Highlights of the programme include the online game "#DrumChallenge", video performances by world drumming teams, percussion workshops at Central Market and Nina Mall, and a music wellness workshop at Nina Hotel Tsuen Wan West.