National Games Mascots Celebrate Chinese New Year in Hong Kong, Promoting Joy and Unity Ahead of Upcoming Events

15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG mascots Xiyangyang and Lerongrong celebrate Chinese New Year with public

The National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) announced today (January 28) that the mascots for the 15th National Games (NG), the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities (NGD) and the 9th National Special Olympic Games (NSOG), Xiyangyang and Lerongrong, are in Admiralty and Wan Chai respectively to meet the public and visitors, celebrate the Chinese New Year and welcome the National Games together.

The mascots Xiyangyang and Lerongrong were inspired by the Chinese white dolphin, a Grade 1 National Key Protected Species, with their names symbolising joy, harmony, and unity. The 15th NG, the 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG will be co-hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. The three small water droplets on the heads of the mascots represent distinctive colours of the three places, which are the red of the kapok flower symbolising Guangzhou, the purple of the bauhinia symbolising Hong Kong, and the green of the lotus flower symbolising Macao.

One pair of the mascots, which are 2.2-metres tall and made of fiberglass, has been placed at Tamar Park near the Central Government Offices in Admiralty. Another mascot pair is 1.6-metres tall, and these fluffy mascots have been placed at the first floor of Immigration Tower in Wan Chai. A number of souvenirs, including plush toys and badges, which will be available for sale later this year, are also displayed at this location.

In addition, a third pair of 1.6-metres tall fluffy mascots, has been placed near the Clock Tower in Tsim Sha Tsui in preparation for joining the International Chinese New Year Night Parade tomorrow night (January 29).

The 15th NG will be held in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao from November 9 to 21 this year. Hong Kong will stage eight competition events, namely basketball (men's U22), track cycling, fencing, golf, handball (men's), rugby sevens, triathlon and beach volleyball, as well as one mass participation event, bowling. The 12th NGD and the 9th NSOG will take place between December 8 and 15. Hong Kong will stage four competition events, which are boccia, wheelchair fencing and table tennis (TT11) for the NGD, and table tennis for the NSOG. Hong Kong will also organise one mass participation event, which is para dance sport.

For information on the games in Hong Kong, please visit the thematic website (www.2025nationalgames.gov.hk/en/index.html), as well the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/2025nationalgames.hk) and Instagram page (www.instagram.com/2025nationalgames.hk).

15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG mascots Xiyangyang and Lerongrong celebrate Chinese New Year with public Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG mascots Xiyangyang and Lerongrong celebrate Chinese New Year with public Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG mascots Xiyangyang and Lerongrong celebrate Chinese New Year with public Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

15th NG, 12th NGD and 9th NSOG mascots Xiyangyang and Lerongrong celebrate Chinese New Year with public Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Renowned Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki to perform in Hong Kong in December for finale of "Great Music 2026"

One of the highly sought-after musicians of his generation, Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki is set to return to Hong Kong on December 6 (Sunday) to deliver a solo recital as the finale of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)'s "Great Music 2026". The performance features a selection of dance-inspired masterpieces by 10 great composers, sweeping across continental Europe and Latin America, offering a unique interpretation of various dance music through his virtuoso artistry of the keyboard.

In the first half of the recital, Lisiecki will perform works by master composers, including Martin's "Trois Danses Tchèques", Falla's "Danza Española No. 2 & No. 1", Szymanowski's "Four Polish Dances", Schubert's "16 German Dances", Bartók's "Romanian Folk Dances", and Ginastera's "Danzas Argentinas", tracing the diverse facets of dance music across different traditions and geographies.

After the interval, the programme will open with an interwoven selection of classic waltzes, featuring Chopin's "Grande Valse Brillante" and two pieces from Brahms's "16 Waltzes". Lisiecki will then perform two contrasting interpretations of the tango through Piazzolla's "Libertango" and Albéniz's "Tango". Falla's "Ritual Fire Dance" will be presented before bringing the recital to a triumphant close with Chopin's "Heroic Polonaise".

Lisiecki has been praised by The New York Times for his "pristine, lyrical and intelligent" performances. He became the youngest-ever recipient of Gramophone magazine's Young Artist of the Year award at age 18, alongside receiving the Leonard Bernstein Award. He has graced the world's greatest stages and worked closely with the foremost conductors and orchestras of the time, performing over 100 concerts each year.

The recital will be staged at 8pm on December 6 at the Concert Hall of Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $250, $350, $450 and $550 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1949.html.

A pre-concert talk entitled "From Polonaise to Libertango: Rhythm Across Cultures" (in Cantonese) will be held at 6.45pm on December 6 at the Committee Room North, 7/F, High Block, Hong Kong City Hall. The speaker will be composer Daniel Lo. Admission is free, with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The "Great Music 2026", presented by the LCSD, brings a world-renowned orchestra and musicians to Hong Kong from June to December, offering music lovers a stellar line-up of performances. For more details, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1946.html.

Renowned Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki to perform in Hong Kong in December for finale of "Great Music 2026" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases