HKAPA 40th Anniversary Celebration Banquet

The 40th Anniversary Celebration Banquet of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) was successfully held on Friday, 27 June 2025, at the Convention Hall of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, marking the grand finale of its milestone celebrations. The banquet drew over 700 distinguished guests, including Government officials, past and present Academy Council members, management, staff, students, alumni, donors, and supporters, uniting to honour four decades of remarkable achievements in performing arts education.

The banquet was officiated by The Honourable Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Mr Charles Yang, Council Chairman of the Academy and Professor Anna CY Chan, Academy Director. The Academy was honoured by the presence of many distinguished guests, including Mr Zhang Zhihua, Deputy Director-General and Level I Bureau Rank Official, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province; Miss Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; and Mr Lin Nan, Deputy Director-General, Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

In his opening address, Financial Secretary The Honourable Paul Chan commended remarkable contributions of the Academy to advancing performing arts education and cultural development: “For four decades, you have stood as a pillar of performing arts education and creative innovation in Hong Kong, shaping the artistic landscape of our city and beyond. Since its founding in 1984, the Academy has played a vital role in nurturing generations of world-class talent in performing arts and arts technology.”

Themed “Aiming for New Heights”, the banquet pulsed with energy. Professor Anna CY Chan, Academy Director, serving as artistic director of the banquet, guided HKAPA students in delivering mesmerising performances. “East Meets West” opened the evening, as students from the Schools of Chinese Opera and Music enchanted audiences with harmonious vocals, showcasing Hong Kong’s unique role as a cultural crossroads. Miss Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism and as a distinguished guest, performed the Cantonese opera Departure of Zhaojun with live accompaniment from School of Chinese Opera students, elevating the evening’s atmosphere to a crescendo.

The second act, “Originality and Innovation”, featured creative performances and visuals by students from the Schools of Dance, Drama, and Film and Television, embodying the Academy’s commitment to cultural innovation and artistic brilliance. The finale, “Nurturing Future Talents”, began with a gripping violin solo and operatic performances by School of Music students, followed by a Dunhuang-inspired dance, Dream of Dun Huang, by School of Dance students, blending Eastern and Western elements to symbolise the Academy’s mission to nurture exceptional performing artists and make lasting contributions to cultural development in Hong Kong and beyond.

Council Chairman Charles Yang expressed heartfelt gratitude to all who have contributed to HKAPA’s success, “Embracing the spirit of tonight’s theme, we will continue to push boundaries, strengthening our position as a global leader in performing arts education and as a driving force for cultural development in Hong Kong and beyond — on a greater scale and for a greater impact.”

The Academy Director Professor Anna CY Chan extended sincere thanks to the Government, Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Academy Council, for their tireless efforts and staunch support. She remarked, “It is this same spirit - the spirit of the Academy and Hong Kong - that has earned us a distinguished place among the world’s top 20 performing arts education institutions in the QS University Rankings. This achievement is a testament to our collective pursuit of artistic excellence and our dedication to supporting emerging talent. Looking ahead, we remain steadfast in fostering creativity through interdisciplinary collaboration and cross-cultural exchange. Our goal is to create an environment where tradition and innovation harmonise, nurturing the next generation of artists and cultural leaders who will shape our community - and our world - for the better.”