Chinese Culture Festival 2026 to Spotlight Timeless Legends and Sui-Tang Splendour through Modern Lens of Cultural Continuity

Chinese Culture Festival 2026 to spotlight timeless legends and Sui-Tang splendour through modern lens of cultural continuity

The third Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2026 will be held from June to September. This year, under the theme "Legends", it will showcase a diverse array of programmes centred on Chinese legends and folklore, with a particular focus on the culture of the Sui-Tang dynasties, and the charm of the ancient capital Luoyang. The programmes will reinterpret the essence of Chinese culture through a contemporary lens and language, while presenting the innovative vitality of Chinese culture.

Featuring distinguished artists and top-tier performing troupes from the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, the Festival will present more than 280 distinctive stage programmes and related extension activities, film screenings, thematic exhibitions, talks, workshops, as well as community and school activities.

A timeless legend: dance drama "Lady White Snake"

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The opening programme of this year's CCF is the dance drama "Lady White Snake", produced by the Shanghai Grand Theatre. With internationally renowned ballet artist Tan YuanYuan serving as artistic director, the production brings together top-tier artists from various disciplines, forming a "dream team" with popular Chinese Mainland dancers and overseas Chinese dance stars. Through a creative vocabulary that seamlessly blends ballet and Chinese dance, the production reinterprets a journey of self-exploration and discovery. The work retains classic scenes from "The Legend of the White Snake" such as "Borrowing the Umbrella on the West Lake" and "Flooding of Jinshan Temple", while employing Chinese cultural symbols like the great bell and the square and circle to construct an oriental stage aesthetic, forging resonance between the millennia-old legend and contemporary sensibilities.

A feast of masterpieces: Chinese Opera Festival

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The Chinese Opera Festival (COF), a core component of the CCF, adopts the theme "Righteousness and Loyalty in Chinese Opera" this year, presenting a selection of classic plays of legendary tales from various opera genres that honour the enduring spirit of loyalty and righteousness.

The kick-off programme, "Showcase of Peking Opera Actors in Full Armour Roles", brings together top contemporary "wusheng" (martial male) actors from four major Peking opera troupes in Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin and Hubei. In the three-day performances, they will perform excerpts from stories based on the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", "The Water Margin" and more, showcasing the exquisite skills and vocal artistry of Peking opera's martial male roles. In addition, China Theatre Plum Blossom Award winner Shi Xiaming will lead outstanding artists from the Jiangsu Performing Arts Group Kun Opera Theatre in bringing the complete two-part Kunqu opera masterpiece "A Dream Under the Southern Bough" to the Hong Kong stage for the first time. They will present a beautiful interpretation of the illusory journey of life, as depicted by Ming dynasty playwright Tang Xianzu. "A New Cantonese Opera 'Ancient Tune of Guangling'", featuring renowned local artists Loong Koon-tin, Tang Mi-ling, Yuen Siu-fai and Liu Kwok-sum, portrays Ji Kang, one of the "Seven Worthies of the Bamboo Grove" during the turmoil of the Wei-Jin era, showcasing the unyielding spirit and integrity of the literati.

This year's COF highlights three regional opera genres belonging to the "bangzi" vocal style - Yu opera (Henan Bangzi), Hebei Bangzi opera and Shangdang Bangzi opera - and has invited multiple Plum Blossom Award winners to showcase their artistry. Complementing Luoyang as the City in Focus of this year's CCF, the Director of the Luoyang Yu Opera Troupe and disciple of Yu opera master Ma Jinfeng, Guan Meili, will join Wang Hui and Jia Wenlong to perform the signature Ma school work "Mu Guiying Takes Command". From the Hebei Bangzi Opera Theatre of Hebei Province, Wu Guiyun, Qiu Ruide, Hao Shichao and Sun Na will present their representative works "Zhong Kui the Ghosteater" and "The Magic Lotus Lantern". Making its Hong Kong debut, the Shangdang Bangzi Opera Theatre of Jincheng City, led by Chen Suqin, a national-level intangible cultural heritage (ICH) representative bearer of Shangdang Bangzi opera, will perform the classic "The Banquet at Sanguan".

Brilliance on stage: distinctive productions

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The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the Bauhinia Culture Group will co-present two outstanding "Chinese Performing Arts Hong Kong Season" Series stage productions. The drama "The Code of The Dynasty", a Chinese-style suspense drama produced by the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre, meticulously recreates Song dynasty costumes, architecture and various ICH performance forms, inviting audiences to uncover a treacherous murder mystery in the Song capital of Bianjing. The Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Acrobatic Troupe's acrobatic drama "Acrobatic Spectacle of Ancient Tang" revives the splendour of the Tang golden age through classic acrobatic feats such as flag spinning, plate spinning and bowls kicking on unicycles.

In the guqin recital "Resonance of Strings and Harmonics", representative inheritor of the national-level intangible cultural heritage of the art of guqin Yao Gongbai, will give his premiere performance of the guqin piece "Flowing Water", sourced from the version in the guqin tablature collection "Zhifa Huican Quejie" (1821). Choreographer Yan Xiaoqiang's multimedia dance work "Helix" harnesses the spiralling dynamics of Chinese dance to present a dialogue between traditional dance and modern technology. "City Under the Moon - Dance Drama 'Harmony in Eternal Melody'" by the Hubei Opera and Dance Drama Theater recreates 1:1 ancient musical instruments including bronze chime bells and more, embodying the cultural essence of the Chinese nation - "Rituals bring order to the universe, and music creates universal harmony".

This year, the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Hong Kong Member Association (HKL&A) will continue to present multiple outstanding stage programmes at the CCF, including "Heluo Dance Gala: Tang Figurines Treading the Tune", "City of Lights: Spirits of the Past", "Echoes of the Silk Road•New Sounds of Hu Music" Concert and "Beautiful Hong Kong 2.0" - A Cross-Media Music Theatre. These events demonstrate the unity of the local cultural sector in promoting Chinese culture.

Supported by the China National Arts Fund (CNAF), the musical "Pan Yu Lin" by Actors' Family integrates drama, music, dance, visual arts and multimedia to portray the artistic pursuits and resilient character of Pan Yulin - China's first female Western-style painter. Also supported by CNAF, local suona player Ma Wai-him will perform at the "DidaBoy - Ma Wai-him: A Journey of Music and Joy" recital with a jazz band, creating new cross-genre sounds.

More exciting programmes include the Wu Guanzhong Art Sponsorship Cross-disciplinary Series: Grand Dance Poem "In Between - Wu Guanzhong's Ink Odyssey" co-presented by the Hong Kong Dance Company and the LCSD; the One Table Two Chairs Charitable Foundation's Nanyin Theatre "Siu Hei's Musical Journey: Poetry in Nanyin"; Hong Kong Music Lover Chinese Orchestra's "Tang Resonance - The Sound of Golden Bell IV: Zhang Haiyue and the HKMLCO"; the Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble's "The Echoes of Origin and Fate: Wong On-yuen and Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble"; and the LCSD Music Office's 2026 "Music-Get-Together" Music Office Trainees' Concerts - Chinese Music. Other contributing programmes include the Inner Mongolia Art Theatre's dance drama "Cavalry"; the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre's "The Diary of Song 2026"; the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra's The 50th Orchestral Season Opening Concert "Thousand Reeds, One Universe"; and Zuni Icosahedron's children arts tech music theatre "5 Elements East West".

Screen classics, legacy of the masters

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The Hong Kong Film Archive presents several thematic film series, including "Journeys to the West: Cinematic Dialogues Across Time", with the premieres of the newly 4K digitally restored versions of "A Chinese Odyssey Part One - Pandora's Box" (1995) and "A Chinese Odyssey Part Two - Cinderella" (1995); "Realising Art in Social Realism: The Miracle of Union Film" and "Gems of Chinese Opera Film". "Legacy and Vision: Conversations with Chinese Cultural Masters" lecture series organised by the HKL&A invites leading experts from various cultural and artistic fields to promote traditional culture through diverse topics.

For the dates and venues of the above-mentioned programmes, film screenings and lectures, please see the Annex. Tickets (except for certain programmes) will be available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk) from April 14 (Tuesday) onwards. For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. A limited-time offer is available from April 14 to 30 for purchasing tickets of selected CCF programmes. The CCF also offers various discount schemes, such as group booking discounts, package booking discounts and the newly introduced "Generations Together 1+1" discount. For programme enquiries and various concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321/2268 7323/2268 7325 or visit the CCF website at www.ccf.gov.hk.

All-Access: free exhibitions and activities

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The "Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Prosperity and Magnificence - Civilisation of the Sui and Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province" exhibition, jointly presented by the LCSD and the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, will feature a selection of over 165 pieces/sets of artefacts from Shaanxi and Hong Kong. The exhibition offers visitors a glimpse into the splendour of the Sui and Tang dynasties, while also unveiling the commercial and military ties with Hong Kong during the era. The HKL&A will organise two exhibitions: "Heluo Culture Bonds Hong Kong" Exhibition and "Echoes of the Sui & Tang: Ancient Attire and Modern Design" Exhibition. Featuring cultural relics, dynamic ICH demonstrations, reconstructed Sui-Tang attire and cross-disciplinary contemporary design, the exhibitions showcase the enduring vitality of Heluo culture and Sui-Tang aesthetics.

This year, the "Encountering Chinese Culture" Performing Arts Carnival will take place at Metroplaza in Kwai Fong, featuring excerpts from distinctive stage programmes and intangible cultural heritage performances. The Hong Kong Public Libraries will host a series of exhibitions, book displays and story theatres to introduce the social development and cultural landscape from the Han to Tang dynasties, bringing Chinese culture into communities across Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival 2026 will showcase enchanting lanterns on diverse themes, inviting the public to celebrate the festive season together.

The "Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series" encourages teachers and students to cultivate greater interest in Chinese culture through participating in a diverse range of CCF activities. The "Chinese Opera En Route to Campus" touring programme brings explanatory sessions, demonstration performances, interactive games and roving exhibitions directly to schools, enabling students to discover the artistic characteristics of Kunqu opera, Peking opera and Cantonese opera.

The CCF, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the LCSD, aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public's sense of national identity and cultural confidence, thereby facilitating patriotic education. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from the Chinese Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. For more information about programmes and activities of the CCF 2026, please visit the above-mentioned CCF website.

The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 will be held from June to September. Photo shows a scene from "Music-Get-Together" Music Office Trainees' Concerts - Chinese Music. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 will be held from June to September. Photo shows a scene from the Yue opera film "Bride Hunter" (1961) under "Gems of Chinese Opera Film". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 will be held from June to September. Photo shows a scene from the film "In the Face of Demolition" (1953) under "Realising Art in Social Realism: The Miracle of Union Film". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 will be held from June to September. Photo shows a scene from the film "A Chinese Odyssey Part Two – Cinderella" (1995) (4K digitally restored version) under "Journeys to the West: Cinematic Dialogues Across Time". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 will be held from June to September. Photo shows a white pottery dancing horse, one of the exhibits of "Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Prosperity and Magnificence - Civilisation of the Sui and Tang Dynasties in Shaanxi Province". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 will be held from June to September. Photo shows a scene from "Harmony in Eternal Melody" by Hubei Opera and Dance Drama Theater. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 will be held from June to September. Photo shows a scene from "The Code of The Dynasty" by Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 will be held from June to September. Photo shows representative inheritor of the national-level intangible cultural heritage of the art of guqin Yao Gongbai. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 will be held from June to September. Photo shows a scene from "Mu Guiying Takes Command" by Luoyang Yu Opera Troupe, a programme of the Chinese Opera Festival 2026. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chinese Culture Festival 2026 will be held from June to September. Photo shows a scene from "Zhong Kui the Ghosteater" by the Hebei Bangzi Opera Theatre of Hebei Province, a programme of the Chinese Opera Festival 2026. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2026 will be held from June to September. Photo shows a scene from dance drama "Lady White Snake" by Shanghai Grand Theatre, the opening programme of this year's CCF. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The programme briefing of the Chinese Culture Festival 2026 was held today (April 9) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Photo shows a display of Tang attire during the programme briefing. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The programme briefing of the Chinese Culture Festival 2026 was held today (April 9) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Photo shows the "Echoes of the Silk Road‧New Sounds of Hu Music" Concert performers presenting an excerpt from the Concert. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The programme briefing of the Chinese Culture Festival 2026 was held today (April 9) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Photo shows the performers of Actors' Family presenting an excerpt from musical "Pan Yu Lin". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The programme briefing of the Chinese Culture Festival 2026 was held today (April 9) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Photo shows representative inheritor of the national-level intangible cultural heritage of the art of guqin Yao Gongbai sharing his views on performing guqin music. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The programme briefing of the Chinese Culture Festival 2026 was held today (April 9) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Photo shows Cantonese opera virtuosos Loong Koon-tin (second left), Tang Mi-ling (second right) and young performer To Wing-sum (first right) introducing "A New Cantonese Opera 'Ancient Tune of Guangling'" at the programme briefing. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The programme briefing of the Chinese Culture Festival 2026 was held today (April 9) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Photo shows China Theatre Plum Blossom Award winner Shi Xiaming (right) introducing the Kunqu opera "A Dream Under the Southern Bough" at the programme briefing. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The programme briefing of the Chinese Culture Festival 2026 was held today (April 9) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Photo shows guests and performers attending the programme briefing. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government announces short-term targeted measures to address rising fuel prices

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, chaired a special meeting today (April 9) and was briefed by the Inter-departmental Task Force on Monitoring Fuel Supply (the Task Force), which was earlier established by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in response to the conflict in the Middle East region. The fluctuations in international oil prices and their impact on Hong Kong's overall economy, trade and various industries, as well as the Government's work and recommendations, were reported.

In view of the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East region, the Chief Executive has earlier directed the establishment of the Task Force to monitor and assess geopolitical changes and fuel supply and prices, to ensure the stability of Hong Kong's energy supply, and to examine the impact of oil price fluctuations on various industries. The Task Force is led by the Financial Secretary, and its members include the Deputy Financial Secretary, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, the Government Economist, and the Chairman of the Competition Commission.

The Acting Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, briefed the Chief Executive at the meeting on the local fuel supply situation and the trend movements of international energy price, as well as the measures already taken by the HKSAR Government. The key points of the briefing and related measures are as follows:

(1) Ensure a robust energy supply. Currently, around 80 per cent of Hong Kong's oil products come from the Chinese Mainland. The HKSAR Government has maintained close communication with the Central Government and various Mainland authorities to ensure that Hong Kong's energy supply remains stable with the country's support.

(2) Request local stakeholders to maintain a stable fuel supply. The Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) has met with major local auto-fuel suppliers, requesting them to maintain a stable auto-fuel supply in Hong Kong. All suppliers indicated that the auto-fuel supply in Hong Kong is currently normal and that they will continue to strive to maintain a stable supply. The EEB has also confirmed with the two power companies and the Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited that the fuel supplies for electricity and town gas production remains normal.

(3) Facilitate the public to monitor changes of local retail auto-fuel prices. Starting from April 1, the EEB releases, on a weekly basis, the trend movements of the seven-day moving average retail prices, after walk-in discounts, of unleaded petrol and diesel from local oil companies, together with the trends in international benchmark prices of refined oil products for the same period, to enhance the transparency of market and price. The Competition Commission has also met with the fuel companies, emphasising the importance of fair competition and information transparency. The Competition Commission will continue to closely monitor the market for any instances of price collusion or unfair competition to ensure fair market operations.

(4) Continue to closely monitor the international situation and energy price trends. The situation in the Middle East has driven up international oil prices. The price of crude oil at one point surged to nearly US$120 per barrel. As the situation has developed further this week, crude oil prices have shown a gradual decline. However, the price of refined oil remained high, and the market is closely monitoring the latest developments in the Middle East.

The Task Force recommended that in formulating support measures, the Government shall have regard to the following principles:

(1) Given that fluctuations in crude oil prices have a broad impact across society and considering the Government's fiscal constraints, priority should be given to the operational sectors that are most severely affected and that involve public services;

(2) If the service prices of the operational sectors are subject to regulatory approvals by the Government, these matters shall be addressed through the existing approval mechanism;

(3) The use of private vehicles for self-use, being a matter of personal decision with alternative options available, shall not be considered a primary priority;

(4) Given the unpredictability of the military conflict and the ongoing ceasefire negotiations, any support measures shall be temporary and short-term in nature, so as to avoid creating risks to public finances; and

(5) It is considered that public transport services (including franchised and non-franchised buses, minibuses and ferries) as well as school buses and residential buses, whose operating costs are highly susceptible to fluctuations in diesel prices, should be regarded as priority sectors for consideration of support.

As the short-term trajectory of oil prices remains uncertain, the Task Force, after considering the above principles and prudently balancing various factors, including the Government's fiscal position and the principle of prudent use of public funds, recommends implementing four targeted temporary measures. They are:

(1) Subsidising diesel prices to alleviate the impact of high oil prices on public services provided by relevant industries. Although international crude oil prices have slightly receded recently, the pump prices of motor vehicle diesel remains high, and the future price movements is highly uncertain. This has placed an additional burden on commercial vehicles (including trucks, franchised and non-franchised buses, and minibuses) and vessels (including ferries, passenger ships, work boats and fishing vessels) that mainly run on diesel, exerting a substantial impact on the economy and people's livelihood. Therefore, the Task Force has proposed a two-month subsidy of HK$3 per litre of diesel to support public and commercial vehicles and vessels and related industries that use diesel as fuel, with a view to reducing their operating costs and alleviating pressure to raise prices. The relevant subsidy measures is estimated to cost approximately HK$1.8 billion. The EEB will work with the Competition Commission to monitor the pricing practices of each fuel company to ensure that they do not take advantage of the occasion.

As for the majority of taxis and public light buses, they primarily use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as fuel, the price of which currently remains stable. The Task Force will continue to monitor price movements and consider the matter further where appropriate.

(2) Tunnel toll reduction for non-private cars. The government will reduce tunnel tolls by 50 per cent for all commercial vehicles (including goods vehicles, buses, minibuses, and taxis) using government-operated toll tunnels, excluding private cars and motorcycles. The measure will last for two months and is expected to result in a revenue reduction of approximately HK$160 million. The government will work with toll service providers to adjust the toll collection systems in order to implement the reduction as soon as possible.

(3) Establishing a Working Group on Public Transport Service Special Applications to expedite and assist public transport operators (including public buses and ferries) in their applications relating to responding flexibly to rising fuel costs

The Task Force recommends establishing a Working Group on Public Transport Service Special Applications under its purview. The Working Group will maintain communication with public transport service operators. Taking into account the overall operating environment, operators' costs, and public affordability, while maintaining the stability and normal operations of public transport services, the Working Group will assist in expediting the approval of relevant applications submitted by public transport operators in response to rising fuel costs. This includes considering ways to enhance overall operational efficiency through service integration and introducing energy-saving measures. The Working Group will be chaired by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, with the Secretary for Environment and Ecology as deputy chair. Members include the Commissioner for Transport and the Government Economist.

(4) Dynamically monitoring the evolving situation and changes in oil prices, and adjusting measures according to actual circumstances

The impact of the situation in the Middle East on Hong Kong's overall economy largely depends on whether the military conflict continues, expands, or escalates. The Task Force will continue to conduct dynamic assessments, co-ordinate bureaux and departments to prepare contingency plans, and formulate forward-looking strategies. The Task Force will also study different measures to alleviate the impact of rising oil prices.

The Chief Executive has accepted the four recommendations of the Task Force and has instructed the Task Force to implement the measures as soon as possible, while continuing to monitor developments and the latest situation.

The relevant subsidy measure requires the funding approval by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council (LegCo). The Government will liaise with the LegCo with a view to scheduling a meeting under the Finance Committee as soon as possible so as to facilitate the early implementation of the concerned measure.

Government announces short-term targeted measures to address rising fuel prices Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government announces short-term targeted measures to address rising fuel prices Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases