Brussels ETO promotes Hong Kong culture and technology at Bologna Children's Book Fair 2026
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) has once again supported the Hong Kong Pavilion at the 63rd Bologna Children's Book Fair (BCBF) held in Bologna, Italy from April 13 to 16 (Bologna time).
Sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Hong Kong Pavilion was co-organised by the Hong Kong Publishing Federation and the Hong Kong Printers Association, with the theme "Hong Kong: Our Narrative" and sub-theme "STEAM: Words Spark Worlds". It offers a creative, technology-driven STEAM experience for the global publishing and printing community, showcasing tech-enabled publications and creative paper art that highlight Hong Kong's innovation and vibrant cultural landscape.
Speaking at the launch cocktail reception of the Hong Kong Pavilion at the BCBF on April 13 (Bologna time) in Bologna, the Deputy Representative of Brussels ETO, Miss Fiona Li, said, "Hong Kong's creative industries are thriving, driven by a vibrant mix of imagination, talent and international exchange. From design and illustration to digital media and publishing, our city continues to be a dynamic cultural hub where ideas flourish."
Miss Li highlighted the important role of publishing, noting that it was "a field that not only shapes our cultural identity, but also carries it forward to future generations and connects people across borders." She encouraged guests to connect and collaborate with Hong Kong's creative communities through Brussels ETO's cultural promotion activities, and reaffirmed Brussels ETO's commitment to bringing the richness and diversity of Hong Kong's culture to Europe.
The BCBF is one of the world's most established professional fairs for children's books. Brussels ETO has been supporting the Hong Kong Pavilion at BCBF since 2014.
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) supported the launch of the Hong Kong Pavilion at the 63rd Bologna Children's Book Fair (BCBF) held in Bologna, Italy from April 13 to 16 (Bologna time). Photo shows the Deputy Representative of Brussels ETO, Miss Fiona Li, addressing the audience at the launch cocktail reception of the Hong Kong Pavilion at the BCBF on April 13 (Bologna time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) supported the launch of the Hong Kong Pavilion at the 63rd Bologna Children's Book Fair (BCBF) held in Bologna, Italy from April 13 to 16 (Bologna time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LCSD to present classical music lecture series "Paganini 24 Caprices" and "Romantic Piano Concertos"
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present two classical music lecture series from May to July, hosted by seasoned music practitioner Jimmy Shiu. Through appreciating the "24 Caprices" for solo violin by early Romantic period musician and Italian violin virtuoso Niccolò Paganini, alongside a selection of Romantic piano concertos, the lectures will explore the pursuit of virtuosity among musicians and the musical ingenuity embedded in these works.
The first series, "Paganini 24 Caprices", comprises four lectures. In addition to an overview of Paganini's life and musical style, the series will delve into his virtuosic masterpiece, "24 Caprices" - a work revered as a cornerstone of the violin repertoire and regarded as a precursor to 19th-century Romanticism. Each lecture will examine the technical demands of individual caprices, with violinist Wang Liang to present live demonstrations of the complete set. Excerpts will be performed at varied tempos and with different interpretive approaches, offering audiences deeper insights into the musical imagination contained in the entire work.
The second series, "Romantic Piano Concertos", consists of six lectures. Beyond examining the Romantic musicians' pursuit of virtuosity in piano concertos, the series will guide audiences to appreciate representative works composed between 1810 and 1940. It will also provide an overview of the development of the piano concerto, its general framework and new features introduced during the Romantic period, while also touching upon the development of the piano, orchestra and concert hall in the 19th century, and the rise of piano virtuosi as public figures.
Details of each lecture are as follows:
Classical Music Lecture Series 1: "Paganini 24 Caprices"
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Lecture 1
Date: May 20 (Wednesday)
Compositions: "24 Caprices": Nos. 1 - 6
Lecture 2
Date: May 27 (Wednesday)
Compositions: "24 Caprices": Nos. 7 - 12
Lecture 3
Date: June 3 (Wednesday)
Compositions: "24 Caprices": Nos. 13 - 18
Lecture 4
Date: June 10 (Wednesday)
Compositions: "24 Caprices": Nos. 19 - 24
Classical Music Lecture Series 2: "Romantic Piano Concertos"
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Lecture 1: Introduction and the Early Romantics
Date: June 17 (Wednesday)
Compositions: Beethoven's "Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat, 'Emperor'" and Mendelssohn's "Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor"
Lecture 2: Two Charismatic Pianists
Date: June 24 (Wednesday)
Compositions: Chopin's "Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor" and Liszt's "Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat"
Lecture 3: The Two A minor Concertos
Date: July 8 (Wednesday)
Compositions: Schumann's "Piano Concerto in A minor" and Grieg's "Piano Concerto in A minor"
Lecture 4: Two Symphonic Concertos
Date: July 15 (Wednesday)
Compositions: Brahms' "Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor" and "Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat"
Lecture 5: Bravura East and West!
Date: July 22 (Wednesday)
Compositions: Tchaikovsky's "Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor" and Saint-Saens' "Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor"
Lecture 6: Romantic of the 20th Century
Date: July 29 (Wednesday)
Compositions: Rachmaninov's "Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor" and "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini"
Shiu graduated from the Hong Kong Baptist College, where he majored in Composition. He then pursued further studies at the University of Sheffield, the United Kingdom, where he earned a double Master's degree in Composition and Vocal Performance. He has been invited to give lectures and serve as master of ceremonies at concerts, and is also an arranger and choral conductor. Shiu has published several works related to music appreciation, and recently served as the writer of Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra's 50th anniversary publication.
Wang is currently the second associate concertmaster of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. He has served as soloist and leader at the Young Musicians European Orchestra's summer festival in Italy and Music in the Summer Air in Shanghai. He currently teaches at both the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and Hong Kong Baptist University, and serves as visiting professor at Shenyang Conservatory of Music.
All lectures will be conducted in Cantonese and will start at 7.30pm at the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum. Each lecture will run for about one hour and 30 minutes. Tickets of "Paganini 24 Caprices" priced at $120, and "Romantic Piano Concertos" priced at $80 (for each lecture, with free seating), are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1950.html.
