An international national-treasure drawing competition, initiated by a charity group in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, will be open for registration for young people from around the world next month. The aim is to foster mutual cultural learning through painting.
The National Treasures Drawing Competition and International Cultural Exchange is organized by the Shine Tak Foundation, backed by 14 diplomatic missions, including those from Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Turkiye, Belarus, Pakistan, Senegal, Iran, Dominica, Kazakhstan, Zambia, Guyana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Madagascar.
Shine Tak Foundation hosted a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony for the project with partners from Laos, Vietnam and Indonesia on Saturday.
Lam Kwok-hing, chairman of Shine Tak Foundation, said the project not only showcases the rich concept of “harmony in diversity” among world civilizations, but also facilitates a new generation with greater cultural awareness and a global perspective, ultimately contributing to a more harmonious, interconnected and inclusive future.
“We aim to cultivate their mindset and hope that young people will learn to seek common ground while preserving differences,” he said.
Lewis Chan, vice-chairman of Shine Tak Foundation and chairman of the National Treasures Organizing Committee, said the initiative will promote the nurturing of national pride and cultural understanding by encouraging youth to artistically interpret their countries’ most symbolic treasures.
The project also seeks to broaden horizons and develop intercultural competence by embracing the beautiful diversity worldwide, promoting the values of peace, friendship and harmony; and positioning Hong Kong as a bridge connecting different civilizations, Chan said.
The ceremony was also attended by Clement Woo Kin-man, the HKSAR’s undersecretary for constitutional and mainland Affairs; Souliya Keophilavong, deputy secretary general of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union; and Ammala Saenchonghack, consul-general of Laos in Hong Kong.
Clements Triaji Bektikusuma, consul for information and sociocultural affairs of the Indonesian Consulate-General in Hong Kong, said it’s essential to invest in youth to enable them to understand other civilizations and live in harmony with others.
He said the Indonesian consulate will be the event’s organizer in his country.
“When we talk about the future, we talk about a shared future among everyone in the world,” said Bektikusuma, noting that the competition is an “ordinary attempt with an extraordinary impact on the world”.
Noting that Vietnam boasts a large young population, Nguyen Bao Anh, chairman of SPO International HK Music and Fine Arts, said it’s important to provide the young generation with the right directions and to reconnect them with fundamental cultural values.
Bui Cong Hoan, founder and chief executive officer of Katicomics in Vietnam, said he believes the competition will be a good message to encourage Vietnamese youth, many of whom are familiar with Chinese and Japanese animation, to join other countries and enter a wider animation community to showcase their talent.
As the Lao partner who signed the MoU, Soukphaphone Phanit, founder of the Learning House for Children Center, said the platform provides an invaluable opportunity for Lao children to showcase their creativity and unique cultural heritage on an international stage, while learning from the diverse traditions of other countries.
“We hope they’ll learn the values of peace, friendship and mutual understanding -- qualities that will guide them as future leaders and responsible global citizens,” she said.
Young people who wish to participate in the 2025 National Treasures Drawing Competition & International Cultural Exchange can visit its official website and register to apply before the end of this year.
