HKETO, Brussels supports cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Europe (with photos)
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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) supported the European tour of the Hong Kong New Music Ensemble (HKNME). The HKNME performed at the Music Biennale Zagreb in Croatia and at the Museo del Mar de Galicia in Spain on April 12 (Zagreb time) and April 15 (Galicia time) respectively.
HKETO, Brussels supported the hosting of networking events in conjunction with the performances, providing an international platform for cultural exchanges between Hong Kong artists and their global counterparts. Speaking at the events, Deputy Representative of HKETO, Brussels Miss Grace Li highlighted Hong Kong’s unique role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. She emphasised the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s commitment to promoting the development of arts and culture through funding, arts education, talent nurturing, international promotion, and cultural collaboration.
In collaboration with the NAE Collective in Croatia and Vertixe Sonora Ensemble in Spain, the HKNME performed a newly commissioned work designed for a unique ensemble that integrates instruments from both Eastern and Western musical traditions. The pieces were composed by four internationally acclaimed composers, namely Sonja Muti (Croatia), Pilar Miralles (Spain), Angus Lee (Hong Kong), and Camilo Mendez (Hong Kong-Colombia). Inspired by the complexities of personal, cultural, and geographical disconnection, the work reflects the composers’ own experiences with international living.
The HKNME is one of Asia’s leading contemporary music ensembles, renowned for its dynamic performances and innovative projects. In addition to performing in concert halls, the ensemble often participates in educational initiatives, interdisciplinary collaborations, and research projects with artists from around the world.