Exclusively sponsored by the Institute of Philanthropy (“IoP”), organised by the Palace Museum in Beijing, and in partnership with the Art Institute of Chicago, the “Rejoicing in Woods and Springs: A Journey through Garden Cultures in China and the Wider World”exhibition was launched yesterday (31 March) at the Tower Gallery, East and West Wing Galleries of the Meridian Gate in the Forbidden City. It will showcase rare artifacts and cultural treasures from across Asia, the United States and France. The exhibition will run until 29 June in Beijing, with subsequent plans to tour Suzhou, followed by Ningbo and Hong Kong through to July next year.
Chairman of the Institute of Philanthropy and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Lester Huang tours the “Rejoicing in Woods and Springs: A Journey through Garden Cultures in China and the Wider World” exhibition.
This exhibition is an important part of a five-year collaboration under a Memorandum of Co operation entitled “Promotion of Chinese Culture and Arts Tech Talent Development in the Mainland and Hong Kong” signed between The Hong Kong Jockey Club (“the Club”) and the Palace Museum. It aims to foster cultural exchange between the Mainland and Hong Kong and to nurture aspiring arts tech talent. The exhibition aligns with the Palace Museum’s 100th anniversary and is also one of a series of activities under the Club’s “With you. Then. Now. Always.” campaign to celebrate its 140th anniversary.
At the opening ceremony of the exhibition yesterday, officiating guests included Wang Xudong, Director of the Palace Museum; Lester Huang, IoP Chairman and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust; James Rondeau, President and Eloise W. Martin Director of the Art Institute of Chicago; and Elisabeth Maisonnier, Chief Curator of Heritage at the National Museum of the Palaces of Versailles and Trianon.
(From left to right) Wen Dayan, Director-General of Communication and Cooperation of the National Cultural Heritage Administration (1st left); Li Rusheng, President of the Chinese Society of Landscape Architecture (2nd left); Lester Huang, Chairman of the Institute of Philanthropy and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (3rd left); Gu Yucai, President of the Chinese Society of Cultural Relics (4th left); Dr Wang Xudong, Director of the Palace Museum (5th left); James Rondeau, President and Eloise W. Martin Director of the Art Institute of Chicago (4th right); Liu Shuguang, President of ICOM China (3rd right); Elisabeth Maisonnier, Chief Curator of The Palaces of Versailles (2nd right); Du Haijiang, Deputy Director of the Palace Museum (1st right) officiate at the opening ceremony of the “Rejoicing in Woods and Springs: A Journey through Garden Cultures in China and the Wider World” exhibition. (Photo credit: The Palace Museum)
Director of the Palace Museum Dr Wang said the Palace Museum has systematically explored multi-faceted models to bridge cultural exchanges in innovative ways to foster dialogues between China’s rich culture with other international traditions, ever since the introduction of the Global Civilisation Initiative. This exhibition is envisioned not only to promote the sustainable development of cultural heritage but also to inspire and promote the construction of a global community of the shared future.
IoP Chairman and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Mr Huang noted this touring exhibition is exclusively sponsored by IoP and is a key activity under the five-year collaboration between the Club and the Palace Museum to promote Chinese culture and enhance international exchange through the integration of arts and technology. “It is a meaningful way to celebrate both the Club’s 140th anniversary and the Palace Museum’s 100th anniversary. It incorporates interactive digital technology to present fascinating garden cultures in China. I very much look forward to the exhibition being held in Hong Kong next year to broaden people’s understanding of national history and culture, supporting efforts to develop Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.”
Chairman of the Institute of Philanthropy and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Lester Huang delivers a speech at the opening ceremony .
The exhibition features more than 200 Chinese and international exhibits, with support from four overseas cultural institutions – the Art Institute of Chicago, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Yale Center for British Art in the United States; and the Palace of Versailles, Museums and National Gardens Public Institution in France. The National Museum of China and Tianjin Museum also contributed exhibits.
Taking six activities (gatherings with friends; appreciation of art collections; sightseeing; meditation; flower appreciation; and playing music) that took place in the Imperial Garden of the Forbidden City, the exhibition aims to explore the impact that human activities have on garden landscapes from different geographical regions and historical periods, and to contrast traditional Chinese and Western gardening philosophies.
Chairman of the Institute of Philanthropy and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Lester Huang tours the “Rejoicing in Woods and Springs: A Journey through Garden Cultures in China and the Wider World” exhibition.
In addition to physical exhibits, the exhibition will also feature digital content, allowing audiences worldwide to access and appreciate these horticultural treasures online soon after the exhibition has opened.
The touring exhibition will be staged at the Palace Museum until 29 June, after which it plans to tour Suzhou Museum and Ningbo Museum before stopping at the Hong Kong Museum of Art in 2026.
IoP, a charitable organisation established by the Club and its Charities Trust, donated approximately HK$440 million (RMB￥371 million) to the “Promotion of Chinese Culture and Arts Tech Talent Development in the Mainland and Hong Kong” initiative to promote Chinese culture and values in Hong Kong, the Mainland and worldwide. It supports the Central Government’s vision of developing Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, as outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan.
Today (12 May), The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) announced the launch of a major initiative to transform itself into a global sports entertainment brand with the ultimate aim of creating even more value for the community. In support, the Club has entered into a strategic partnership with XIX Entertainment (XIX), one of the world’s top entertainment brands.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (left) and Simon Fuller, Founder of XIX Entertainment (right) officiate at the launch ceremony.
Over the past 20 years, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become a world-class racing brand. Its Group 1 races and superstar horses feature strongly in the world rankings, with two of the world’s best horses currently based in Hong Kong. Some of the world’s best jockeys and trainers are in Hong Kong. The Club’s racing is broadcast to millions of fans across five continents, with 25% of its income now derived from overseas. The Club’s racecourse facilities are second to none. And through its Happy Wednesday brand, which showcases sports with entertainment, and major raceday events featuring international and Hong Kong stars, combining lifestyle and entertainment, the Club has developed a highly attractive racecourse entertainment experience.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (left) and Simon Fuller, Founder of XIX Entertainment (right) officiate at the launch ceremony.
All of this has enabled the Club to significantly increase its support for the community. In 2023/24 alone, the Club contributed a record HK$40.1 billion in tax and approved charity donations. It has also made racing a highly attractive visitor experience, with over 143,000 tourists visiting the racecourses so far this season. This encouraging tourist attendance owes a great deal to the support for racing tourism in the recent Hong Kong CE Policy Address, and to the efforts of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Tourism Board in promoting Hong Kong horse racing globally. The Club is also grateful for the new strategic collaboration with the China Tourism Group in promoting the Club’s world-class racing sport in the Mainland.
During a dialogue session, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (right) and Simon Fuller, Founder of XIX Entertainment (centre), exchange views on how their partnership can showcase Hong Kong as a centre for global exchange, connectivity and tourism.
Now the Club’s vision is to go one step further - to become a global sports entertainment brand. In other words to create a holistically integrated racing, equestrian sports and entertainment experience, which will enable the Club to expand its fan base, especially to the younger generation, and to reach out to a global and Mainland audience. Ultimately the aim is to become the premier destination for global horse racing and equestrian sports.
This, the Club believes, perfectly matches Hong Kong’s aspiration to become a hub for international exchanges and cooperation, as well as a centre for international cultural exchange as outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan. It will also enable the Club to contribute even more to the betterment of society.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (7th left); Simon Fuller, Founder of XIX Entertainment (6th right); Club management and other guests pose for a group photo at the ceremony.
As a first step, the Club is delighted to partner with XIX under the leadership of its visionary founder, Simon Fuller. The first collaboration will bring XIX’s global pop group, Now United, to Hong Kong. The first initiative, Now United, will give Hong Kong’s talent a chance to shine on the world stage, while through social media and racecourse performances the group will share positive stories about Hong Kong and Hong Kong racing with their millions of fans around the world.
Now United is the world’s first global pop group. With 19 performers from around the globe, they have a mission to bring music and dance to the world.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club said he was excited to announce the Club’s plans to become a globally recognised sports entertainment brand, which will enable the Club to contribute even more to Hong Kong. Holistically integrating entertainment, racing and equestrian sport, at its heart will be a celebration of the strong bonding between horses and humans. This, he said, perfectly matches Hong Kong's aspiration to expand its global connectivity. Finally, looking ahead to the Year of the Horse in 2026, it is the perfect moment to use entertainment, lifestyle and social content to foster new connections and promote passion around the horse - heritage, power, elegance and emotion brought to life.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club announces the strategic partnership between the Club and XIX Entertainment.
Simon Fuller, the British-born Founder of XIX, said “I am excited to be collaborating with Hong Kong and the Jockey Club to create something aspirational and positive. I believe there is an important opportunity to bring inspiring and joyful entertainment to Hong Kong and Horse Racing. This is an incredible city full of potential with so many stunning iconic locations to share with the world.” He added, “my global pop group Now United being here in Hong Kong is the beginning of many more exciting announcements in the coming months, leading to celebrating the year of the horse.”
Now United is the world’s first global pop group. With 19 performers from around the globe, they have a mission to bring music and dance to the world.
Now United is XIX’s multi-cultural global pop group, featuring young musical and dance talent from across the world. The collaboration with the Club will see a talent search in Hong Kong for the next member of the group. The finalist will receive masterclass training from top-class professionals at XIX Entertainment’s Academy of Pop. There will also be a reality series and music videos filmed with Now United during their stay in Hong Kong, to be shared with their 40 million social media followers across multiple platforms around the world. Hong Kong audiences will also have the opportunity to enjoy Now United’s live performances at the Club’s racecourses and at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races in December 2025.
The search for the next member of Now Unitedin Hong Kong will begin with auditions for people aged 18 or above starting from today (12 May). For application details, please visit https://nowunited.com/newmember/index_en.php.
