The City University of Hong Kong (CityU) Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hong Kong Doujin Philharmonia (HKDP) Ensemble Quintet kicked off CityU Arts Festival 2023/24 with a series of hot Japanese anime songs. The opening concert, City Anime Fantasy, was held at CityU on 10 October and attracted over 500 audiences to enjoy an evening of orchestral delight.

In her welcome remarks, Professor Isabel Yan Kit-ming, Associate Provost (Student Life) of CityU said that the Festival played an extensive role in enriching the campus cultural atmosphere and showcasing CityU students' "Six Arts" beyond the classroom.

“Every year, hundreds of young CityU Performers from different disciplines are eager to perform on stage. The demand for precision, concentration, discipline and skillful execution is as high as conducting scientific research,” she said. “The Festival provides an excellent opportunity to share their endeavours.”

This year's CityU Arts Festival will be presented in a more exciting and creative way to present an array of artistic feasts to the audience. Two young orchestras took the stage at the opening ceremony, performing the specially arranged Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and several popular anime songs, including Spirited Away and songs from YOASOBI, a popular Japanese music duo, immersing the audience in the fantastical world of anime and awakening the courage and dreams hidden deep within it.

In addition, CityU Musical will present the Broadway comedy Sister Act from 20 to 22 October. The comedy is hailed as one of the most joyful musicals in Broadway history, depicting the uproarious transformation of a bar singer in a convent as she disguises herself as a nun.

On 12 October, “Vocal Concert: Bel Canto in City” invites a group of renowned vocalists to use the beautiful Bel Canto technique, which originated in 17th century Italy, to interpret often-overlooked urban sounds with a captivating vocal landscape, while the Young Once band will perform at this year’s Arts Festival again on 27 October, bringing the audience an upgraded version of Forever Golden Hits and playing classic songs from the 1950s to the 1990s. 

Furthermore, the CityU Choir, in collaboration with the University Choir of Cultural Association of The University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Student Union University Choir, and the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong A Cappella Group, will take the audience on a voyage through the melodies of different countries in the Chorale of World Classics on 17 November. 

This year’s Arts Festival also features several performances highlighting the essence of Chinese culture. The School of Dance of the Xinghai Conservatory of Music from Guangzhou will perform captivating Chinese classical dance, folk dance, modern dance and contemporary dance under the theme of Xinghai Dance in the City on 25 October, and the Chinese Music Department of the Xinghai Conservatory of Music will perform Starry Music of the Silk Road with the CityU Chinese Orchestra on 24 November in the closing concert, depicting the scenic Silk Road with graceful melodies. 

The annual CityU Arts Festival, first launched in 2015, connects CityU Performers, professional artists and the community through a series of Chinese and Western artistic performances that enrich the cultural ambience on the campus and further promote CityU’s role in the community as an arts hub.

For programme details, please visit: http://www.ncm2.xyz/ctspc/af23_24.shtml

Media enquiries: Julian Ng, Communications and Public Relations Office, CityU (Tel: 3442 2569 or 9271 9769)