This fall, Hong Kong transforms into a global stage as the Asia+ Festival 2025 returns for its third edition. Running from September 19 to November 30, the festival will present more than 20 cultural events across the city, showcasing music, theater, dance, and exhibitions that celebrate the richness of world traditions. Organized by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the program invites audiences to experience both heritage and innovation in the performing arts.
A Striking Opening and Closing
The festival opens with a daring reinterpretation of Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, directed by acclaimed theater-maker Simon Stone. This Korean-led production, set in modern South Korea, stars Jeon Do-yeon—Best Actress at Cannes—and Park Hae-soo, widely recognized from Squid Game. The performance tackles themes of transition and legacy through a contemporary lens, offering a bold take on Chekhov’s classic.
Closing the festival is Strangely Familiar, a collaborative dance theater work directed by Kuik Swee Boon. Bringing together artists from Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Macao, the piece explores cultural identity and connection through inventive movement and storytelling.
Global Highlights
Festivalgoers can also look forward to:
- Robyn Orlin’s vibrant dance piece We wear our wheels with pride, which honors the creativity and resilience of South Africa’s Zulu rickshaw drivers.
- A piano recital by Vietnamese virtuoso Dang Thai Son, the first Asian pianist to win the International Chopin Piano Competition (1980). Returning to Hong Kong after seven years, he offers a program that includes works by French impressionist composers Fauré and Ravel, followed by an all-Chopin second half.
Exhibitions and Cultural Showcases
In addition to performances, two special exhibitions will enhance the lineup:
- Asian Ethnic Cultural Performances+ 2025, featuring striking traditional costumes from across Asia.
- Rhythms of Childhood: Melodies of Time, which explores nursery rhymes and their cultural significance around the world.
Iconic Hong Kong Venues
Events will be staged at major cultural landmarks, including the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Sheung Wan Civic Centre, and the East Kowloon Cultural Centre, ensuring audiences across the city can experience the festival.
With its eclectic programming spanning continents and artistic forms, the Asia+ Festival 2025 is set to be one of Hong Kong’s most dynamic cultural celebrations of the year.
For more information, see the Asia+ Festival official website.
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