Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival: ‘Joy Again, Stories’

Dates: 15 November 2023 – 14 January 2024

Locations: Sai Kung Town, Yim Tin Tsai, Sharp Island, Kau Sai Chau and High Island

Sai Kung, affectionately known as ‘Hong Kong’s back garden’, perfectly blends world-class geological vistas and winding natural coastlines. What you might not know is that it is also home to an ever-growing art scene, which is exactly what the Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival is all about. A three-year celebration of Sai Kung’s art scene since 2022, it offers an immersive experience that marries art and culture with the stunning landscapes of this pristine region.

The first year of the festival was themed ‘Joy Again, Isle’, featuring art pieces inspired by the lives of islanders in Yim Tin Tsai and Sharp Island. This year, the festival extends its reach to High Island and Kau Sai Chau with the theme of ‘Joy Again, Stories’, with open calls for artwork proposals. From 15 November 2023 to 14 January 2024, embark on a fascinating journey to the present and future as you delve into each island’s tales of local culture, ecology and community.

Sai Kung

Connecting lines

As the second largest region in Hong Kong, Sai Kung is a beloved getaway known for its quaint fishing villages, breathtaking scenery, hiking trails, beaches and unspoilt islands. The highlight art installation, Joy Again, Stories: Dashing Through Weather’s Lapse, is set in the Sai Kung Waterfront Park, the perfect start point to your Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival journey. Inspired by the ever-changing weather of Sai Kung and the islanders’ lives, it outlines the topography of the ocean and islands around the region, propelling visitors to explore the relationship and personality of each island.

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Yim Tin Tsai

A journey of art and culture

Yim Tin Tsai may be a small island, but it has a history of nearly 300 years and a fascinating blend of Catholic and Hakka cultures. Visit this charming island to see five artworks from the first year of the Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival, as well as three new pieces that reinterpret Yim Tin Tsai’s salt-making history and unique culture from different angles.

Explore the island

Sharp Island

An ode to nature

One of the most accessible sights in the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, Sharp Island boasts spectacular geological wonders, from 140-million-year-old rock formations to a tombolo that only appears at low tide. Here you will find three sets of artworks, all inspired by the island’s natural landscapes, such as the pineapple bun-like rocks and the tombolo.

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Kau Sai Chau

A voyage of cultural traditions

Kau Sai Chau is the largest island in Sai Kung. Located at its southern end is Kau Sai Village, a traditional fishing village known for its celebrations of Hung Shing Festival, held annually on the 23^rd day of the second lunar month. Through three sets of fishing-inspired artworks, you can have a glimpse into the life of fishermen and their faith and culture associated with Hung Shing.

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High Island

A canvas of time and nature

High Island used to be a shelter and supply depot for ships. Today, it is home to four traditional villages, namely the Hakka villages of Tung A. Pak A and Pak Lap, and the fishing village of Sha Kiu. Their Tin Hau Festival sea parade is an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hong Kong. The island’s history is manifested in three sets of artworks, each exploring the connection between mountains and sea, as well as the island’s hexagonal column rock formations, the life of fishermen, and the changes of the times.

Explore the island

Getting There

Please visit the Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival official website for more information.

Elevate your journey

Join a guided tour at the Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival

Guided tours and special programmes

Take a deeper dive into your journey of art, culture and nature through regular guided tours and specially designed themed tours to uncover stories on the islands. There is also a rich line-up of special programmes catering to participants interested in art and craft making, music, culture, sports, conservation, and family activities. As Christmas approaches, groove to the tunes of busking and other performances that will fill the air of the festival with joy for all.

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