The cultural affairs section promotes cultural exchange between Switzerland and Hong Kong/Macau. It helps connect Swiss artists in a variety of fields such as music, dance, drama or photography with useful contacts in this part of the world.
Regularly the cultural affairs section organizes or co-hosts various events and exhibitions with a Swiss interest and works closely with organisations such as the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia.
Studio Residencies
A studio residency (3 months) in China or, conversely, in Switzerland gives artists the chance to gain a broad insight into a different cultural environment. The aim of the residency is to find inspiration, establish networks and contemplate new projects and cooperations. In addition to a place to work and accommodation, Pro Helvetia will provide specific coaching. The Swiss Arts Council covers the cost of travel, insurances and per diem expenses. Applicants may benefit three times in total from a Pro Helvetia studio residency.
Selection criteria
convincing track record: personal artistic activity above and beyond regional level
Film Screening of the Swiss Movie: A Decent Man /Nichts Passiert-Broadway Cinematheque (16 February 2017, 19:45) Prosperous Garden, 3 Public Square Street, Yaumatei, Kowloon-AMC Pacific Place (18 February 2017, 13:30) 88 Queensway, Hong Kong
The European Union Gala Concert is a musical celebration of European films. Our live orchestra will dazzle film fans and music aficionados with scores of timeless European films accompanied by a projection of their most memorable scenes. The concert will be followed by a reception and the screening of the opening film of the European Union Film Festival "The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki".
Location: The HK Polytechnic University Jockey Club Auditorium, 11 Yuk Choi Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
The 1st 1905 Human Rights Film Festival is an intercultural event that aims at raising awareness on human rights issues in Hong Kong and Mainland China through the organization of film screenings, discussions and debates with filmmakers and members of NGOs and activists. The Consulate General of Switzerland in Hong Kong is proud to be a platinum sponsor and to provide three Swiss films to the festival.
Location: Various venues, please refer to the specific screening
Hong Kong 1952 exhibition of the late Swiss Magnum Photographer, Werner Bischof (1916 – 1954). The 85 photos selected for this exhibition constitute a lively documentary of the 1952 Hong Kong where extremes abound. Bischof’s photos revealed Hong Kong as a rapidly growing community in search of a delicate balance between East and West, old and new, affluence and otherwise, with a strong common desire to begin a new page in this haven of hope. The exhibition is also to commemorate the 100th birthday of Bischof, and to celebrate his life and achievements.
Location: F11 Photographic Museum, 11 Yuk Sau Street, Happy Valley, Hong Kong
The global society, demographics, the environment and the economy are in constant change just as are technologies, materials and our knowledge and experience. How do we reply to changing needs and problems by leaving common tracks? By no surprise this year’ topic of the Hong Kong design week is Game Changer as not only design as such, but as a way of thinking proves to be an innovating approach to holistic solutions that deploys not only change but also added-value. Join us for this Pecha Kucha – a series of short presentations – featuring Swiss and Hong Kong based designers, entrepreneurs and educators from different design fields.
Location: 7-9 pm, Connecting Space, G/F, Wah Kin Mansion, 18-20 Fort Street, North Point, Hong Kong
The Leica workshop will consist of a walk through Hong Kong learning how to produce powerful imagery with your camera by searching for light, colours and people. Dominic will give tips and advice along the way. He will also talk about his assignments with National Geographic, Time Magazine and others around the globe and in conflict areas.
BIG GAME stands for a youthful and refreshing design idiom, notable both for its functionality and for its playful approach – one that succeeds in redefining the Swiss design quality that everyone talks about.
Location: 5:00 – 6:30 pm, DeTour Café at PMQ, Hong Kong
Design Prize Switzerland and the leading Swiss Universities of Applied Arts and Design invite you to explore practice -based educational approaches that cope with the rapid transformations of design. New basis of knowledge, possibilities, globalisation and the influence of design are evolving at a fast pace. The increasing complexity of problems to be met by design approaches is permanently transforming the designers’ profession. Gaining international as well as multi-levelled knowledge driven by experience and collaboration at an early professional stage, does positively influence the designers’ readiness for the job market. Testimonies from different disciplines, backgrounds and nationalities share their experiences and projects.
Location: 7 – 9 pm, PMQ, S710-711, 7/F (Staunton Block), Hong Kong
“What does it take to be a good graphic designer these days?” ECAL/University of Art and Design Lausanne has long been recognised for its role in advancing Switzerland’s tradition of leading graphic design. Be it books, catalogues, magazines, posters, typography or digital projects, ECAL graphic design students demonstrate their mastery of elegance and subtlety.
Location: Experience Centre at HKDI and IVE (Lee Wai Lee), 3 King Ling Road, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories, Hong Kong
Dominic Nahr will be in Hong Kong for a very limited time. While in town he will conduct several workshops which will give you a unique opportunity to hang out with an award winning photographer working for publications such as National Geographic, Time Magazine and The New Yorker.
Young Artist in Residence @ V54
An initiative run by a local charity, Po Leung Kuk, aiming to provide low rental fees and short-term residencies for young artists, to encourage them to express their appreciation of Art and Culture of East & West and life history, and also to make contributions to society by promoting the value of Art and Culture to young people.