Picasso Exhibition Opens in Hong Kong, Celebrating East-West Cultural Exchange

Speech by SCST at preview and opening reception of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Picasso for Asia - A Conversation

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the preview and opening reception of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Picasso for Asia - A Conversation today (March 13):

Mr Henry Tang (Chairman of the Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority), Mr Bernard Chan (Chairman of the M+ Board), Mr Nicolas D Hunsworth (Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club), Mrs Christile Drulhe (Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macao), Mrs Cécile Debray (President of the Musée national Picasso-Paris), Ms Pansy Ho (Co-chairman of the Board of French May Arts Festival), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening and a very warm welcome to a full house of audience here. I'm so happy to see you all. I am most delighted to be in M+ Museum with you all here tonight to celebrate the opening of this extraordinary exhibition "the Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Picasso for Asia – A Conversation". The power of artwork in telling stories and evoking emotions is universally acknowledged, and I believe art lovers would agree with me that Pablo Picasso is a master of the masters in terms of his ability to highlight, or more precisely, to breakdown the subject of his paintings to evoke a strong sense of emotion in the viewers.

I know that this exhibition, which features over 60 of Picasso's materpieces in dialogue with works from the M+ Collections by Asian and Asian-diasporic artists, has been long-awaited and eagerly anticipated by many, including me of course. Instead of a straightforward showcase of famous pieces, this exhibition shows innovative curatorial vision by creating a dynamic conversation between the brilliance of Piccaso's work and the richness of Asia's artistic traditions.

This innovative curatorial approach aligns perfectly with the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development promulgated by my Bureau (Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau) in November 2024. The Blueprint sets out, among other important features, a clear vision of Hong Kong becoming an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, under which we would like to attract tourists through international arts and cultural exhibitions and performances, thereby promoting the integration of culture and tourism.

High quality exhibition such as today's will certainly help Hong Kong leap forward towards fulfilling the vision and, as a result, it should not come as any surprise that this exhibition is supported by the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Fund under my Bureau, and that it is high on our list of signature events in the Hong Kong Super March programme.

Indeed, this March, Hong Kong is filled with a fascinating array of world-class events attracting participants from various sectors, and tourists from all over the world. Apart from the official opening of the Kai Tak Sports Park, World Snooker Grand Prix (2025) and LIV Golf (Hong Kong) 2025 that took place in the past fortnight, upcoming highly anticipated events in the lineup include ComplexCon Hong Kong, Art Central, Art Basel Hong Kong and Hong Kong Sevens, just to name a few.

I sincerely invite all of you, my friends, to take part in at least some of these exciting Super March events.

Before I close, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible efforts of M+ Museum in presenting this eye-opening and thought-provoking exhibition. My special thanks also go to Musée national Picasso-Paris for co-curating the exhibition.

May I wish the exhibition every success and everyone here an enjoyable evening. Thank you.

Special arrangements at LCSD venues during Mid-Autumn Festival

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will extend the opening hours or make special arrangements at the following venues during the Mid-Autumn Festival period:

Aldrich Bay Park (Eastern District)

- Water Feature and Fisherman Hut Pavilion

September 25: 6.30am to 11pm (extended by half an hour)

Ngau Chi Wan Park (Wong Tai Sin District)

September 25: 6.30am to midnight (extended by one hour)

Hang Hau Man Kuk Lane Park (Sai Kung District)

September 25: 6.30am to 1am the next day (extended by two hours)

Tseung Kwan O South Park (Sai Kung District)

- Children's Playground

September 25: 6.30am to 1am the next day (extended by two hours)

Victoria Park (Wan Chai District)

- Central Lawn

September 26: Temporarily closed from 2am to 5am for cleaning operations

The LCSD appeals to members of the public to keep places clean and tidy, and not to burn wax or fly sky lanterns when celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.

"To ensure the enjoyment of the festivity in a good environment, we are appealing to members of the public not to throw glow sticks or other objects onto trees, as doing so may cause damage to the trees and affect the cleanliness of venues. Do not fly sky lanterns or burn wax, which may cause injury to yourself or others, or damage to property and facilities," a spokesman for the LCSD said.

The spokesman said that the LCSD will deploy staff to step up patrols at its venues (including parks, public beaches and barbecue sites) on September 25, and to take enforcement actions against littering, wax burning, throwing objects onto trees and flying sky lanterns.

Members of the public may call the LCSD hotline on 2414 5555 to report any wax burning or sky lantern flying, or other non-compliance found at LCSD venues.

Under the Pleasure Grounds Regulation, no person shall, in any pleasure ground, melt or burn any wax, sprinkle or pour any liquid onto any hot wax, damage any part of any tree, shrub or plant, or fly kites, model aircraft, balloons or other devices (including sky lanterns). Under the Bathing Beaches Regulation, no person shall, on any bathing beach, do any act which is likely to endanger or obstruct any other person using the beach, or damage, deface or pollute the beach or anything situated thereon. Any convicted person is liable to a maximum fine of $2,000 and 14 days' imprisonment.

The LCSD will issue to littering offenders a fixed penalty notice with a fine of $3,000. Persons who burn wax, throw objects onto trees or fly sky lanterns may be prosecuted.

Source: AI-found images