The 20th Anniversary of Hong Kong Drum Festival

“One Beat One World: Connecting Through The Drum” Drum Carnival & 5G Live Concert

Message from Chief Executive

Ladies and Gentlemen, Hong Kong citizens, friends from around the world:

Greetings! I’m delighted to take part in this year’s Hong Kong Drum Festival via video. First, may I congratulate the Festival’s Carnival and Concert that will take place. These events add energy and verve to the cultural atmosphere in the West Kowloon Art Park on this beautiful autumn day.  

The world-renowned Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra has long been the leader in Chinese music in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Drum Festival was first organised by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra in 2003. During the past two decades, the Hong Kong Drum Festival has become an important annual highlight, an event that is enthusiastically received by the general public.

The theme of the 20th anniversary of the Hong Kong Drum Festival is “One Beat, One World: Connecting Through the Drum.” It is also one of the HKSAR Government’s “Happy Hong Kong” events. I understand the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra has organised instructors to teach drumming in all 18 districts of Hong Kong, bringing the joy of music to different corners of our communities. The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra is also inclusive in its outreach, arranging ethnic minority groups and young persons in custody to take part in its programmes, using music to promote positive energy in society.

This year’s Hong Kong Drum Festival is among the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Pilot Scheme for Characteristic Local Tourism Events, gathering masters and arts troupes from Asia, Africa, Europe and America. Tourists and citizens attending the event not only enjoy the beautiful vista of Victoria Harbour from the West Kowloon Cultural District, but also relish in fiery and passionate drum music. These combined experiences promise true delight.

This large-scale concert will be livestreamed via 5G to the global audience, promoting Hong Kong as an excellent tourist spot possessing the best of East and West. It is a fine example of the positive interplay between culture and tourism.

The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra has established itself in our city for almost half a century, taking on its role as Hong Kong’s cultural ambassador, having performed all over the world. I look forward to even more superb performances by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and the musical feasts it creates for Hong Kong, China and the world, using the art of Chinese music imbued with traditional culture to advance cultural exchange between East and West, promoting fine Chinese and Hong Kong stories. 

I wish the Hong Kong Drum Festival great success, that all of you enjoy the experience. Thank you. 

Chief Executive of Hong Kong

John Lee Ka-chiu