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Chinachem Group (The Group) announced today that it will partner with French May Arts Festival for the third consecutive year by hosting two special events at its Central Market and NINA MALL properties between now and 19 June, with the aim of facilitating arts and cultural exchange between Hong Kong and France. This follows a very welcoming public response to the Group's previous joint programmes in 2021 and 2022.

An opening ceremony for this year’s “Chinachem Group Celebrates French May” collaboration was held at Central Market this morning, performed by the Group’s Executive Director and CFO Ricky Tsang, Consul-General of France in Hong Kong and Macau Christile Drulhe, and Chairman Emeritus of French May Arts Festival Dr Andrew Yuen.

“Chinachem Group and French May Arts Festival share the same vision of promoting arts and culture as a means of improving and enriching community life,” says the Group’s Executive Director and CEO Donald Choi. “We are delighted to support the festival for the third consecutive year, bringing the wonders of French art and gastronomy to the local community. The collaboration is another manifestation of Chinachem Group’s commitment to a sustainable future and our ‘Triple Bottom Line’ approach, which equally prioritises People, Prosperity and Planet in our business operations.”

Mrs Drulhe, Consul-General of France in Hong Kong and Macau said, “As we mark our third consecutive year of collaboration, we are delighted to co-present a programme of gastronomy and art across two strategic locations, broadening the reach, engagement and accessibility of the festival to a wider audience.”

Dr Yuen, Chairman Emeritus of French May Arts Festival told guests that the Festival was delighted to join hands with Chinachem Group for the third year to celebrate its 30th Anniversary at both Central Market and NINA MALL, bringing French arts, culture and gastronomy to the Hong Kong community. “In addition to the hugely popular French Gourmet Markets, this year we are delighted to jointly-present an East-meets-West artistic crossover, welcoming French artist Antonin Fourneau’s Waterlight Graffiti installation to display the meaningful artwork creations of Hong Kong artist Bao Ho.” he said.

The two programmes being co-hosted by Chinachem Group at Central Market and NINA MALL are the ever-popular French Traditional Gourmet Market, which will be its largest edition to date, and a captivating interactive Waterlight Graffiti installation by French artist Antonin Fourneau, designed to create eco-friendly art in a new and unique way. The latter will be complemented by two nature-inspired artworks created by renowned Hong Kong-based artist Bao Ho, exemplifying cross-cultural exchange through art. Both artists were at Central Market today to witness the unveiling of Waterlight Graffiti.

A highlight of the opening ceremony came when Bao Ho completed a live painting called Siren’s Song on Waterlight Graffiti, with officiating guests then being invited to add the final touches to it. An artistic plea for conservation of the ocean and the natural environment, Siren’s Song depicts a protector of the sea acting to preserve the ocean and marine species under the twin impacts of global warming and intense human activities.

As a further demonstration of bringing positive social impact to the community, Chinachem Group will work with NGO partners to arrange two special tours for secondary school students and community groups to the Virtually Versailles exhibition at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, the French Traditional Gourmet Market and a trial of Waterlight Graffiti at Central Market and NINA MALL, providing them with opportunities to learn about French arts and culture. Virtually Versailles is the official touring exhibition of the Palace of Versailles that combines heritage with technology, enabling visitors to take an incredible virtual journey into the world-famous palace and gardens and experience their grandeur.