Dubbed “Asia’s World City,” Hong Kong is a hot mix of various heritages. Together with Macau, it serves as the meeting point between China and the rest of the globe.
The majority of people probably know that throughout the centuries Hong Kong’s culture as we know it today has mostly been impacted by China and Great Britain. However, few are aware of the strong Italian influence on this amazing place.
The Italians are no strangers to the China coast. They were a major part of the European presence in the region at the beginning of the sixteenth century. Since then, Italians have become major contributors to the advancement of Hong Kong and neighboring Macau.
Both cities have been the homes of prominent Italian figures, such as Alessandro Valignano, Matteo Ricci, and Eugenio Zanoni Volpicelli. Italy has left an indelible mark on Hong Kong’s educational system too. Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, the city has established itself as the world’s third-largest destination for Italian exports, with number one and number two being the mainland and Japan respectively. Leather and jewelry, clothing and cosmetics, accessories, and even furniture – Italians have conquered quite a few strategic markets in Hong Kong.
Italian Community in Hong Kong
Reportedly, the Italian community in Hong Kong amounts to more than 5,000 expats. More and more families from “The Boot” are looking to build a life in the city, and in 2019, it welcomed its first Italian kindergarten. Naturally, both Hong Kong and Italy are throwing a serious endeavor at fostering this vibrant connection. The ITALIA on Stage festival has played a crucial part in this regard.
History of the ITALIA on Stage Festival
Initially established under the name of “Italia Mia” in 2019, this amazing event is known today as the ITALIA on Stage festival. Over time, it accomplished its mission to position itself as an annual event taking place in Hong Kong in the months between October and December.
The festival has two major goals. One of them is to foster the friendship between Italy and “Asia’s World City.” As part of this endeavor, the event aims to bring the Italian culture and lifestyle closer to the people of Hong Kong. The festival gives locals the unique opportunity to enjoy firsthand the authentic spirit of “The Boot” and savor its delicacies in areas such as cuisine, art, fashion, performances, and more.
Secondly and equally importantly, ITALIA on Stage is focused on creating new and evolving the already-existing business partnerships between Italy and Hong Kong. These include relations in the fields of trade, tourism, education, etc. In this sense, the festival plays a pivotal role in bridge-building between the local communities and the European country.
Before we continue any further, let us briefly take a look at a first-person account of what it is like being an Italian in Hong Kong and reflect on how such an event can bring people closer:
ITALIA on Stage – 2023: Details and Overview
The latest edition of ITALIA on Stage took place in the fall of 2023. This was also the year when the team behind the festival decided to rebrand it and changed its name from the inaugural “Italia Mia” brand. The significant transformation was also accompanied by another milestone, replacing the initial logo with a new one. The latter was selected among the top works created in a drawing competition and was adapted by the Consulate General of Italy in Hong Kong to fit the festival’s overall concept.
That said, the organizers kept and elevated further the original spirit of the event, namely to bring a vibrant, fulfilling experience of Italy to the Asian city. The event persisted in promoting Italian culture, cuisine, language, education, and tourism among the local communities.
Organized jointly by the Consulate General of Italy in Hong Kong and the local Italian Cultural Institute and supported by the Italian Trade Agency in Hong Kong, the festival’s 2023 edition featured more than 30 initiatives including:
- Cinema, music, and theater performances
- Fine dining and wine tasting
- Cooking classes
- Education showcases
- Charity initiatives
The Consul General of Italy in Hong Kong and Macau, H.E. Carmello Ficarra, stated that the organizers place tremendous value on the ITALIA on Stage festival in terms of advancing and strengthening bilateral business relations and nurturing common values.
Alice Fratarcangeli, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Hong Kong said that the program of the revamped festival showcases the diversity of Italy throughout centuries of innovation, creativity, and pursuit of brilliance.
In hindsight, ITALIA on Stage 2023 did live up to the generous words of H.E. Ficarra and Ms. Fratarcangeli. With its rich program of events and the all-encompassing variety of activities, the festival provided excellent grounds to bring Italy and Hong Kong many steps closer. Given the event’s strong history of success and great future potential, we have every reason to believe it will continue to thrive in the foreseeable future.
