Macedonian Pianist Simon Trpčeski Returns to Hong Kong for Makedonissimo Concert on October 21

2025-10-14 16:45 Last Updated At：16:58

Asia+ Festival to present Macedonian pianist Simon Trpčeski's "Makedonissimo" concert on October 21

Internationally renowned Macedonian classical pianist Simon Trpčeski is returning to Hong Kong with "Makedonissimo", a concert to be performed alongside four fellow Macedonian musicians on October 21. The programme also features three local musicians, pop music composer Johnny Yim, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra Suona Principal Ma Wai-him and huqin player Chan Pik-sum, who will participate in the arrangement and performance of two finale pieces, offering an East-meets-West musical crossover. The concert is part of the Asia+ Festival presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD).

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Asia+ Festival to present Macedonian pianist Simon Trpčeski's "Makedonissimo" concert on October 21 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Asia+ Festival to present Macedonian pianist Simon Trpčeski's "Makedonissimo" concert on October 21 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The concert features a programme of diverse musical styles, blending Macedonian folk traditions with elements of jazz and classical music. From spirited dance pieces to lyrical songs, these works brim with emotion and exuberant energy, rooted in tradition yet alive with contemporary flair. Notably, the Hong Kong concert includes a specially curated segment unique to the global tour; the three local musicians Yim, Ma and Chan will join the Macedonian ensemble for a global cross-boundary collaboration. They will present two medleys blending Macedonian folk tunes with Chinese music and Cantopop in the finale, concluding the concert on a rousing note.

Trpčeski has collaborated with leading ensembles such as the London Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. His recordings have been highlighted in the "Editor’s Choice" section by the magazine "Gramophone" in the United Kingdom, and have earned accolades such as a Diapason d'Or.

The "Makedonissimo" concert will be held at 8pm on October 21 at the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall. Tickets priced at $200, $300 and $420 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288, or use the mobile ticketing app "URBTIX".

A piano masterclass, hosted by Trpčeski and conducted in English, will be held from 1pm to 3pm on October 20 at the Recital Hall of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Admission is free. For details, please refer to www.asiaplus.gov.hk/2025/en/makedonissimo.

The Asia+ Festival is held annually from September to November with the aim of creating a sustainable platform for arts and cultural exchanges. While focusing on Asia, the Festival also connects Belt and Road countries and regions in Europe, Africa and the Americas. Now in its third edition, artists from more than 30 countries and regions, including 12 new participating countries, will take part in the Festival, featuring over 100 performances and activities. Apart from stage programmes, there is also an outdoor carnival, a thematic exhibition, workshops, a backstage tour, masterclasses, talks, outreach performances and more. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.asiaplus.gov.hk.

"Makedonissimo" is also part of the LCSD's Great Music 2025.

Six illegal workers and an employer arrested in Hong Kong's anti-illegal worker operation Contribute.

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.

An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Macedonian Pianist Simon Trpčeski Returns to Hong Kong for Makedonissimo Concert on October 21

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