A three-day international cultural exhibition concluded on Sunday in Hong Kong, after offering attendees an immersive journey into the richness of global diversity through vivid displays of distinctive cultures from China and 15 other countries.
The 2nd International Culture, Tourism & Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition, held at AsiaWorldExpo, was supported by the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centers and Associations.
The exhibition aimed to forge a symbiotic relationship between culture and tourism — enhancing cultural appreciation via tourism experiences, while using cultural activities to enrich travel.
It also highlighted the preservation and rejuvenation of traditional intangible cultural heritage during the process.
A number of consuls general in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, including those of Colombia, Nepal, South Africa, Peru, Kazakhstan, and Panama, took part in the exhibition to promote their cultural heritage and tourism potential. They presented their respective countries’ unique cultural products and their natural wonders and historic attractions.
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The Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan exhibited an ethnic costume. Adorned with intricate white floral patterns on a vibrant red background, and paired with a white, fluffy hat, the costume embodied the characteristics and cultural identity of its nomadic people.
The Consulate General of Peru took visitors on a visual journey through the pictures of its stunning landscapes, historic sites, and cultural festivities. A handbook titled 30 Experiences Not to Be Missed in Peru was distributed, enticing visitors with the allure of the South American country and its treasures, including the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu.
The power of music to tell cultural tales was exemplified by Artem Konstantinov, a Russian cellist and conductor of the Hong Kong Youth Symphony Orchestra.
His solo performance included a piece by Russian composer Pyotr Ilich Tchaikovsky. He explained that the piece “conveys complex feelings, with happiness, joy, sorrow and even majesty. It’s a reflection of the varied emotions intertwined within the broader societal context of (Tchaikovsky’s) era, with typical cultural characteristics of Russia. It’s abig picture”.
The exhibition featured workshops showing Chinese intangible cultural heritage, such as straw weaving and seal carving.
Under expert guidance, participants can try weaving straws, gaining insight into their significance and the ongoing efforts to preserve them.
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This exhibition not only educated international visitors about Chinese intangible cultural heritage and its conservation in Hong Kong but also highlighted the city’s vital role in advocating for China’s tourism industry.
