China Media Group (CMG) on Wednesday launched "Chinese Art Shines Anew in Hong Kong," a season of art programs and documentaries to highlight and strengthen cultural and people-to-people bonds between the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
Aired by CGTN Documentary, the season features over 30 assorted productions, acquainting the world with the traditional Chinese culture by capitalizing on the HKSAR's unique position as a doorway of cultural exchanges between the East and the West.
Among the productions are The Art Beat and Masters of Art. Featuring 14 contemporary Chinese artists in fields including literature and dance, The Art Beat shows how some distinguished artists pursue their careers and explore Chinese aesthetics.
Meanwhile, Masters of Art highlights the creations of art masters in calligraphy, Chinese painting and other fields, showing how their works reflect the times, the beauty of Chinese art and the artistic conception and connotation of Chinese art.
Another highlight of the productions is CGTN's The Song, Painted – an immersive interactive virtual exhibition of Song Dynasty paintings. The interactive show will land in elementary and secondary schools in the HKSAR to let the viewers unlock the aesthetics of the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) and its people through this selection of elegant and inspiring paintings.
Speaking at the season's launch ceremony in Beijing, Fan Yang, vice president of the Chinese Painting School of China National Academy of Painting, invited audiences worldwide to enjoy the beauty and brilliance of Chinese art through The Song, Painted.
Ng Wun Kit, principal of the Pui Kiu Middle School in Hong Kong, said The Song, Painted will not only become indispensable for primary and secondary schools in the HKSAR to learn about traditional Chinese culture but also arouse their deep interest in learning and understanding the history and culture of the motherland and further enhance their national identity.
Noting the season of art programs showcasing Chinese masters in various art fields and quality art works, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee said the season will help the HKSAR residents better understand traditional Chinese culture and customs, thus further enhancing their connection with the homeland, during his video speech at the ceremony.
As the HKSAR bridges the gap between the Chinese mainland and foreign countries, Lee said the HKSAR government will continue to nurture talents in creative industries, strengthen arts and cultural exchanges among the HKSAR, the mainland and other countries, enrich literary and art content, promote the HKSAR's pop culture, spread the fine Chinese culture and arts to the world, and let the Chinese culture shine on the international stage.
CMG President Shen Haixiong said at the launch event that the art programs could help the HKSAR residents further understand the time-honored and splendid culture of the motherland.
These programs will also allow viewers at home and abroad to better understand Chinese civilization and feel the charm of China in the new era, he added.