Korean Group HADDANGSE Debuts Award-Winning Multimedia Theatre Waiting! at Hong Kong's International Arts Carnival

IAC presents deep-sea adventure in exciting and hilarious Korean multimedia theatre performance "Waiting!" in August

For the International Arts Carnival (IAC), a summer arts festival organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Korean art group HADDANGSE will present its signature multimedia theatre production "Waiting!" this year. The award-winning performance was warmly received by audiences of all ages when performed at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In its coming debut in Hong Kong, the performance features a heartwarming story paired with dazzling visual effects, bringing laughter and surprises.

The story of "Waiting!" begins with a young girl, Bada, who longs to reunite with her fisherman father and unexpectedly embarks on an exciting and hilarious deep-sea adventure. After setting out alone to find her dad, Bada is swallowed by a whale, which takes her to its dark belly where she dances with various glowing underwater creatures.

Using cardboard props and blacklight effects, the programme is set against the backdrop of a magnificent ship and vast ocean. With lively and humorous performances by the cast, the amazing show is full of fun and imagination without the need for words.

Korean art group HADDANGSE, established in 2008, dedicates itself to creating imaginative and community-oriented theatrical works. The group emphasises audience participation, inviting viewers to become co-creators of the performance and experience the magic of immersive theatre. "Waiting!" has won the 2024 International Association of Theatre & Performing Arts for Children & Young People Seoul Children's Theatre Grand Prize and Best Director Award.

"Waiting!" will be staged at 7.30pm on August 1, 11am and 3pm on August 2, and 3pm on August 3 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Studio Theatre. Tickets priced at $280 and $340 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288, or use the mobile ticketing app "URBTIX".

For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit the IAC website (www.hkiac.gov.hk).

This year's IAC will run from July 11 to August 17, featuring a wide array of fun-filled educational programmes by overseas, Mainland and local art groups and artists. In addition to martial arts, acrobatics, dance, music, theatre and multimedia, the IAC will also offer film screenings, parent-child workshops, an online programme, an outreach performance and an exhibition.

IAC presents deep-sea adventure in exciting and hilarious Korean multimedia theatre performance "Waiting!" in August Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

IAC presents deep-sea adventure in exciting and hilarious Korean multimedia theatre performance "Waiting!" in August Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

IAC presents deep-sea adventure in exciting and hilarious Korean multimedia theatre performance "Waiting!" in August Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Dog Adoption Carnival 2026 to be held this weekend

The "Let's Go! The Pet Owners' Journey" Dog Adoption Carnival 2026, organised by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), will be held at the Cyberport Arcade between 11am and 6pm this weekend (January 17 and 18). Admission is free. Members of the public are welcome to join the event with their dogs.

The Adoption Carnival aims to encourage members of the public who intend to keep pets, to adopt abandoned or unclaimed animals, as well as promote responsible pet ownership. The co-organisers of the Carnival include Cheung Chau Animal Care, HK Saving Cat and Dog Association, Lifelong Animal Protection Charity, Paws United Charity, Society for Abandoned Animals, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Team for Animals in Lantau South.

Members of the public can interact with dogs that are up for adoption at the Adoption Carnival. Dog keepers can apply for or renew licenses on site. The Carnival also features veterinary consultation services, a dog playground, a virtual reality gaming experience, game booths, an interactive educational exhibition, pet-themed handicraft workshops, as well as sharing sessions by representatives of animal welfare organisations (AWOs) and guest speakers. Participants are welcome to take part with their dogs. However, dogs entering the venue should be licensed (except for those to be licensed on-site), vaccinated against rabies, and microchipped. All dogs should also be kept under proper control.

The AFCD has been committed to encouraging members of the public who wish to keep pets to adopt abandoned or unclaimed animals through the AFCD's partnering AWOs. Upon receiving animals, the AFCD will transfer animals assessed by veterinarians as being in good health and suitable for adoption to partnering AWOs for adoption by members of the public. The AFCD provides free desexing operations for cats, dogs and rabbits adopted through partnering AWOs.

For details of the event, please visit the thematic website of the "Let's Go! The Pet Owners' Journey" Dog Adoption Carnival 2026 (www.petswithlove.com.hk).

Source: AI-found images