JCCAC | 2nd Hong Kong Golden Age Festival: Art · Elderly and Brave

Description

Sponsored by Link REIT's 'Love · United' initiative and organised by Arts’ Options, the only professional arts festival in Hong Kong dedicated to senior citizens — the '2nd Hong Kong Golden Age Festival: Art · Elderly and Brave' — held its grand opening ceremony today.

This year's festival focuses on the mental well-being and community care of the elderly in Hong Kong's 'super-aged society'. Officiating at the opening ceremony were Mr Ho Kai-ming, JP, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, and Mr David Ashton, Executive Director, External Affairs of Link Asset Management Limited (Link). Several prominent guests from the political, business, cultural and social welfare sectors joined over a hundred golden age artists and members of the public to witness the official commencement of this festival that breaks free from the shackles of age and reshapes the power of golden age.

'Creative Ageing' refers to the use of art to intervene in community care and mental health, helping the elderly live with dignity and value. As a key strategic partner of the festival, Mr David Ashton, Executive Director, External Affairs of Link, said that Link's 'Love · United' initiative has been committed to supporting community projects with innovative and sustainable potential, and is delighted to witness the team's continuous promotion of professional artistic development for the golden agers, allowing art to become an important force in connecting the community.

With the participation of over 170 artists aged 55 to 90, the '2nd Hong Kong Golden Age Festival: Art · Elderly and Brave' will present more than 40 programmes in various combinations of drama, music, dance and visual arts. The opening performance is the stage play 'Love Has Dimensions', directed by British legendary director Alan Lyddiard. Alan Lyddiard has led several national-level theatres in the UK, and his 'The Performance Ensemble' is an internationally renowned professional golden age theatre company. This time, he collaborates deeply with Arts’ Options' Artistic Director Chan Kwai-fan and several Hong Kong professional golden age actresses. Through the women's humorous and gentle narration of clothes in the wardrobe on stage, the play softly and frankly tells a story of love and life, from the increase in age and changes in body shape to life challenges, exploring the life wisdom of 'tailoring choices for one's own life'. This international collaboration proves the irreplaceable life depth and artistic level of professional golden age actors.

Ms Chan Kwai-fan, Artistic Director of Arts’ Options, said, 'Arts’ Options has been committed to introducing professional and systematic drama training to prove that golden agers are not a burden on society but a resource with immense creativity. The smooth holding of this festival is thanks to the strong support of cross-regional and cross-sector partners.'

In addition to the opening performance, this year's festival will also feature several highlights, including:

• Central Courtyard 'Arena': From 11 to 13 September, golden age performers from all over Hong Kong will be invited to showcase their diverse talents and create a multi-art performance platform for the golden age community.
• Guangzhou 'Not Old Troupe' 'Libra': For the first time, over ten golden age performers from Guangzhou will come to Hong Kong to present a touching story of the gains and losses of the years and letting go.
• 'Sheng and Qin in Full Bloom' Silver Hair Heartstring Music Concert: Featuring master-level performances by multiple golden age music groups, including the Queen's College Old Boys Harmonica Ensemble and the Hong Kong Senior Chinese Orchestra.
• Visual Arts and Photography Exhibition: Curated by veteran artist Dr Leung Yee-wo, the 'Ye Art Thou' visual arts exhibition, and the photography exhibition curated by architect呂文聰and famous actor Mr Tse Kwan-ho, engage in a dialogue with the audience through high-quality lens language.
• Closing Performance 'The Third Segment': Director Ng Ka-hei leads the graduates of four cohorts of 'Long智Play' by embodying the resilient spirit of the third cervical vertebra (C3) that supports life and smiling at life's challenges.
• Lecture on 'Golden Age and Art': Speakers include Dr Chan Cheung-bun, Professor Man Kit-wa, Dr Leung Yee-wo, Mr呂文聰and Mr Tse Kwan-ho.

All performances and exhibitions of the '2nd Hong Kong Golden Age Festival: Art · Elderly and Brave' are now open for ticket sales or registration. The organiser hopes that through this 12-day festival, the public can break free from traditional stereotypes of 'old age' and redefine the unlimited splendour of the second half of life.

Programme Overview of the 2nd Hong Kong Golden Age Festival: Art · Elderly and Brave

Warm-up Visual Arts Exhibition and Workshop: 'My Hand · My City'

• Lok Fu Plaza: Venue B and 6, Lok Fu Plaza, 198 Wang Tau Hom Lane, Kowloon
• Date: 5 & 7 August 2026
• Tsz Wan Shan Shopping Centre: 3/F, Venue C2, Tsz Wan Shan Centre, 23 Yuk Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan, Kowloon
• Date: 25–27 August 2026

Main Festival Programme

• Date: 9–20 September 2026
• Venue: JCCAC Black Box Theatre, Galleries and Central Courtyard
• Main Programme Schedule:

o 9–11/9 | Opening Performance: 'Love Has Dimensions' (Black Box Theatre)

o 11–13/9 | 'Arena' Golden Age Performance Carnival (Central Courtyard)

o 12/9 | Guangzhou 'Not Old Troupe': 'Libra' (Black Box Theatre)

o 13/9 | 'Sheng and Qin in Full Bloom' Silver Hair Heartstring Music Concert (Black Box Theatre)

o 9–20/9 | 'Ye Art Thou' and Visual Arts Exhibition (L1 Gallery)

o 16–19/9 | Lecture on 'Golden Age and Art' (L4 Activity Room)

o 18–20/9 | Closing Performance: 'The Third Segment' (Black Box Theatre)

Tickets are now on sale at the Art-mate ticketing platform.