Jockey Club supports French May’s immersive Mona Lisa exhibition

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has been delighted to support the French May Arts Festival for 15 consecutive years, including this year’s opening programme – The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Meet Mona Lisa & Portraying the Renaissance. Focusing on the iconic Italian Renaissance painting, the Mona Lisa, the exhibition explores the creative spirit and aesthetic ideas of the Renaissance through a multi-media journey centred on this celebrated masterpiece. The narrative is further enriched by art treasures from leading European institutions. The exhibition will be on view at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum from 1 May to 27 July.

Guests tour The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Meet Mona Lisa & Portraying the Renaissance exhibition.

The opening ceremony for the exhibition was held today (30 April). Officiating guests included Rosanna Law, HKSAR Government Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism; Manda Chan, HKSAR Government Director of Leisure and Cultural Services; Nicholas Hunsworth, Club Steward; Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, and other guests.

Rosanna Law, HKSAR Government Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism (centre); Manda Chan, HKSAR Government Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (1st left); Nicholas Hunsworth, Club Steward (4th right); Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau (4th left); Pansy Ho, Co-Chairman of the Board of French May Arts Festival (3rd left); Vincent Larnicol, Vice President of Grand Palais Immersif (3rd right); Vincent Delieuvin, Chief Curator of Italian Painting of the Sixteenth Century of Musée du Louvre (2nd left); Dr Matteo Gianeselli, Curator and Art Historian of Musee de la Renaissance (2nd right); Brian Lam, Museum Director of Hong Kong Heritage Museum (1st right) and other guests at the opening ceremony of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Meet Mona Lisa & Portraying the Renaissance exhibition.

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Nicholas Hunsworth said the exhibition offers an unprecedented hybrid experience, blending centuries-old legacy with immersive technology, and culminating with the vision of Asian artists as a bridge between East and West. The Club’s support for the exhibition, together with its role as the exclusive sponsor of The Jockey Club Community Outreach and Arts Education Programmes, reflects its commitment to nurturing talent, fostering arts appreciation and supporting cultural development in Hong Kong. It also aligns with the Central Government’s vision of developing Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, as outlined in the National 15th Five-Year Plan.

Club Steward Nicholas Hunsworth delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Meet Mona Lisa & Portraying the Renaissance exhibition.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Meet Mona Lisa & Portraying the Renaissance exhibition is a multi-media showcase that invites visitors to appreciate the Mona Lisa from a new perspective. Specially created for Hong Kong by the Musée du Louvre and the Grand Palais Immersif, the exhibition is narrated by the Mona Lisa herself through a monologue that reveals the captivating stories behind her mysterious smile. Selected treasures from the Musée National de la Renaissance of France, Pinacoteca Ambrosiana of Italy and Ateliers d’art Grand Palais RMN are also featured. Most of the exhibits are being shown in Hong Kong for the first time, including four original sketches and notes by Leonardo da Vinci alongside masterpieces from the Renaissance, including sculptures, paintings, drawings and engravings.

Selected exhibits at The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Meet Mona Lisa & Portraying the Renaissance exhibition.

In addition, the exhibition offers interactive multimedia displays that introduce Leonardo's painting techniques, playful games, as well as an immersive photo booth that allows visitors to step into the world of the Mona Lisa. These elements guide audiences to explore and appreciate the iconic Mona Lisa from new perspectives, while delving into the vision and spirit of innovation that defined the Renaissance. The exhibition also features three items from the collection of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, along with paintings by Chinese Mainland artist Xu Lei, presenting Asian artistic perspectives while illustrating the influence of 14th‑century European culture, thereby creating a narrative that bridges East and West. For further details please visit: https://hk.heritage.museum/en/exhibitions/monalisa2026.html

Guests tour The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Meet Mona Lisa & Portraying the Renaissance exhibition.

The Club’s Charities Trust is also supporting other programmes in the French May Arts Festival under the theme of “Re/naissance”, including Rendezvous @ Tai Kwun, which features Voûte, an outdoor performance in the Parade Ground by Cirque du Corbak of CNAC, France’s National Center for Circus Arts, which blends music, visual art and technology. In addition, a four-day artist-in-residence programme will promote cultural exchange and collaboration between French and local performers.

Selected exhibits at The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Meet Mona Lisa & Portraying the Renaissance exhibition.

Selected exhibits at The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Meet Mona Lisa & Portraying the Renaissance exhibition.

In addition, the long-established The Jockey Club Community Outreach and Arts Education Programmes will continue to provide enriching educational and outreach activities including guided tours, workshops, talks and screenings. As every year, the Club will provide support for accessibility services to make the festival more accessible to all.

Selected exhibits at The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Meet Mona Lisa & Portraying the Renaissance exhibition.

The Club’s support for the French May Arts Festival, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

Guests tour The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Meet Mona Lisa & Portraying the Renaissance exhibition.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) today (30 April) officially opened the “Mark Six 50th Anniversary Exhibition” at Tai Kwun in Central, kicking off a series of celebratory activities to commemorate half a century of the Mark Six lottery. Over the past 50 years, the Mark Six has brought hope to countless members of the community, while delivering significant contributions to Hong Kong society. These activities are also part of the Club’s Year of the Horse Campaign.

Mark Six 50th Anniversary Exhibition” opens to kick off series of celebratory activities - “Connecting Dreams for a Better Future”.

The opening ceremony of the ten day “Mark Six 50th Anniversary Exhibition”, held under the theme “Connecting Dreams for a Better Future”, was officiated by Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government, together with Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club. The ceremony was also attended by representatives of beneficiary organisations and the Club’s Board of Management.

Mark Six 50th Anniversary Exhibition” opens to kick off series of celebratory activities - “Connecting Dreams for a Better Future”.

The exhibition showcases a collection of rare Mark Six artefacts, including some of the earliest lottery tickets and a retired drawing machine. Visitors can explore the lottery’s history and better understand its enduring mission of contributing to society over the past five decades.

The exhibition showcases a collection of rare Mark Six artefacts, including some of the earliest lottery tickets and a retired drawing machine.

At the opening ceremony, Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government, said that Mark Six has not only borne witness to Hong Kong’s growth and evolution, but its proceeds, channelled through the Lotteries Fund and lottery duty, have become a vital lifeline for social welfare. He thanked the Club for its significant contributions to long-term prosperity, stability and development of the city. He expressed his hope that Mark Six would continue to gather the community’s goodwill, so that every small act of generosity converges into a powerful force, driving the sustained development of welfare initiatives, keeping the spirit of compassion alive and helping to build a more caring and inclusive Hong Kong.

At the opening ceremony, Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the HKSAR Government(left), said that Mark Six has not only borne witness to Hong Kong’s growth and evolution, but its proceeds, channelled through the Lotteries Fund and lottery duty, have become a vital lifeline for social welfare.

Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, explained that the Club launched the Mark Six in 1976 to assist the Government in curbing rampant illegal street gambling known as “Che Fa”, and to channel the public demand for betting into a legal and regulated channel for the benefits of Hong Kong community.

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges said: “Over the past 50 years, the Club has contributed more than HK$30 billion to the Lotteries Fund and HK$55 billion in lottery duty, supporting over 300 NGOs and more than 25,000 projects.”

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht Bresges said: “Over the past 50 years, the Club has contributed more than HK$30 billion to the Lotteries Fund and HK$55 billion in lottery duty, supporting over 300 NGOs and more than 25,000 projects”

“In the past five years, the Lotteries Fund has focused its resources where they matter most – half of its funding, around HK$10 billion, goes to elderly services, nearly a third to rehabilitation, around HK$5.6 billion, and the rest to family and child welfare, social welfare and youth support, around HK$4 billion, totaling HK$19.5 billion. This means that the most vulnerable in our community – our seniors, those living with disabilities, families in need, and young people facing challenges – are directly benefiting from these projects.”

The exhibition showcases a collection of rare Mark Six artefacts, including some of the earliest lottery tickets and a retired drawing machine.

“Through Mark Six, those who need help the most are given not just care, but hope, dignity, and a better quality of life. All these projects were made possible through the unique integrated business model and values and purpose of the Club. Our values are centred on having the highest integrity, which has enabled us to channel gambling demand effectively and has built trust in the community. Combined with our purpose for the betterment of society, this model creates economic and social value in the form of tax and duty to the Government, employment, proceeds to the Lotteries Fund as well as charitable donations.”

“But even as I speak to you now, illegal gambling operators are targeting Hong Kong people – many of them youngsters – through social media. They are advertising illegal websites offering gambling on a huge variety of sports, as well as casino games and illegal lotteries. Clearly this is a problem that needs urgent action. We need to protect our community and we need to ensure that the Club can continue to support it through tax contributions and charities donations – and through the Mark Six.”

The exhibition showcases a collection of rare Mark Six artefacts, including some of the earliest lottery tickets and a retired drawing machine.

Since its launch in 1976, Mark Six has remained highly popular among the public. In particular, the introduction of Snowball draws in 1985, has attracted widespread anticipation and participation. In response to public demand, the number of Snowball draws has been increased over the years, with up to 12 now being held annually. The First Division Prize has also continued to reach new heights. The first Mark Six 50th Anniversary Snowball draw* will be held on Saturday, 2 May, 2026, with the First Division Prize Fund estimated at HK$228 million^, the highest in Mark Six history.

Please [click here] to visit the campaign website for details of the “Mark Six 50th Anniversary Exhibition”, including key milestones of the Mark Six, its profound societal significance, fascinating fun facts, and its remarkable 50-year journey with Hong Kong.

The exhibition showcases a collection of rare Mark Six artefacts, including some of the earliest lottery tickets and a retired drawing machine.

The Club’s Year of the Horse campaign is a year-long celebration of the close bond between horses and humans and the contribution racing makes to Hong Kong. It also promotes tourism as well as equine and sports development. Racing is not only the city’s favourite pastime, but also a symbol of its “can-do” spirit and stability under One Country, Two Systems. Through the success of Hong Kong horses on the international stage, the sport also brings pride to the community and global recognition to our city. None of this would be possible without the horse. For more information please visit https://hkjc.com/YOTH.

*Customers who bet must be aged 18 or above

^ Estimated First Division Prize Fund for a single HK$10 winning unit