00:00Hong Kong has a lot to discover, from traditional festivals to world-class events.
00:06In this episode, I'll dive into the Chinese National Games competitions.
00:11I'll visit the Sotheby's art collection and soak up the atmosphere at the fiery dragon dance.
00:20At the heart of Asia, Hong Kong's blend of East and West makes it unique.
00:26A megacity full of limitless possibilities including culture, arts, sports and all that connects them.
00:33Hong Kong and its athletes have long prepared for the National Games.
00:37In a historic first, it co-hosted China's premier high-level sports competition alongside Macau and Wandong province.
00:45Over 15,000 athletes from China competed in more than 400 events across 34 sports.
00:51Eight competitions unfolded in Hong Kong's world-class sports venues.
00:56The National Games put all Hong Kong's sporting facilities into very good use
01:03and also put our ability of organising major sports events into tests.
01:13And I think we passed the test with fine colours.
01:16With that success as a foundation, Hong Kong is gearing up to host the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities
01:24and the 9th National Special Olympic Games by late 2025.
01:30From gold medals to galleries, the Sotheby's Maison Gallery stands as a top destination for art.
01:37It's right in Central's most prestigious address, the iconic Landmark Cheetah.
01:43Exquisite and unexpected objects, fine art and unforgettable experiences are open to all
01:49at its flagship design space, a cornerstone of Asia's art scene.
01:54So these are very rare things that come from the market, and normally these are things that
02:00we see in museums.
02:01It's incredible to put the culture in the center of Hong Kong, and that was really important
02:07for us.
02:08There is no right to enter, there is no door to open, you can simply come and admire everything.
02:14Strolling among these masterpieces of Chinese art, many likely bound for the world's finest
02:22museums, while surrounded by groundbreaking architecture inspired by Taoist principles, like stairs that
02:28echo the flow of Chinese nature, is an experience like no other.
02:33I'll show you a Chinese scroll that dates from the 13th century, in fact it's the emperor
02:40who wrote his own events in relation to the Chinese nature.
02:45These are the same curves that you can see here in architecture, so there is a real conversation
02:53between our house, the architecture of our house, and the art works that we expose.
02:59But Chinese art and culture go beyond the gallery, coming alive in the streets.
03:05The Lantern Festival is celebrated during the autumn full moon, lighting up the streets with
03:11crowds, color and fire.
03:14The Taihan Dragon Fire Dance is a spectacular celebration of Cantonese heritage.
03:20These volunteers preserve a 146-year-old tradition.
03:24Almond Cheng, who first began performing the dance at just 12 years old, is the troops' leader.
03:30The reason is that at the altar street, there is a
03:58Since then, the fiery dragon has made its way through the narrow streets of Taihan every year.
04:06Its nearly 17-meter long body is lined with 12,000 incense sticks, each symbolizing health, wealth and good fortune.
04:15The energy here is electric, the crowd, the music and the aroma of thousands of burning incense sticks.
04:22Hundreds of volunteers from across the globe bring the dragon to life, showing remarkable skills and coordination.
04:28Even the kids take part.
04:44Bringing together hundreds from around the world, this tradition captures the essence of Hong Kong, a city where culture and sports shine on a global stage.
Be the first to comment