Review & interview by William Chan in Hengqin
The Hengqin Cultural and Art Centre hosted an enchanting classical music concert titled “Elegance of Hou Kong” (惹쉭風꽃) on Sunday at its theatre.
Hou Kong is one of Macau’s ancient names.
The event featured several string and wind instrumentalists and a pianist, most of whom are professional musicians based in Macau.
Organised by Huafa Music,* the concert attracted an audience of over a hundred people who gathered in the amphitheatre to enjoy performances of classical pieces by Mozart, Saint-Saëns, Wagner, and Shostakovich, alongside the Chinese classic “Fisherman’s Song at Eventide” (漁魯나功). Bassoonist Zhu Wukun** and his colleagues were among the performers.
“Most of us are musicians from the Macao Orchestra (OM), and we dedicate our free time to collaborating with Huafa Music to teach music to children in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), as well as performing regularly to promote classical music to audiences in the GBA. We also have a youth symphony orchestra in Zhuhai, and many of my students came to support me today,” Zhu said.
The Hengqin Cultural and Art Centre, officially opened at the end of last year, has a newly completed performing venue with a stunning design that features large glass doors overlooking an outdoor leisure area. This setup allows natural sunlight to fill the space. The theatre’s acoustic design, enhanced by soundproof panels, makes it ideal for musical performances. During Sunday’s concert, the audience sat on the stairs to enjoy the music, but Zhu noted that the venue is particularly suited for choirs with singers standing on the staircase and listeners below.
The centre also hosted the 2nd Macau International Comedy Festival last month, alongside a Chinese adaptation of the British children’s animated TV series Peppa Pig. On Sunday, families continued to flock to the centre to enjoy the bustling, vibrant atmosphere. A staff member at the centre also told me that the centre’s huge library and a GBA-themed archive will open soon.
GBA One-Hour Living Circle Experience
While the Greater Bay Area’s one-hour living circle initiative promises quick commutes, it fell short on Sunday. I spent over an hour and a half travelling to the centre. However, once I reached the Hengqin checkpoint, the process was seamless with no queues. A short taxi ride from the Macau-Hengqin border checkpoint got me to the venue in just four minutes, and after the concert, a pleasant 20-minute walk back to the checkpoint.
The most time-consuming part of the journey was within Macau. I took the 25B bus, the most popular route in the fourth quarter of last year, according to a Transport Bureau (DSAT) statement in March. Despite its direct route to the Macau-Hengqin checkpoint, the overcrowded bus, combined with a long route, took nearly an hour.
Many locals, myself included, assume trips to the mainland are lengthy. Yet, the Hengqin checkpoint stands out for its convenience and proximity to many places including the centre. Increased promotion and improved transportation links, such as an extended Light Rapid Transit (LRT) network, could greatly enhance accessibility. I hope the local government continues to explore expanding the city’s LRT network to include a circular route that better connects Hengqin and enhances travel convenience for non-drivers like myself.
* https://www.macaupostdaily.com/news/15287
https://macaupostdaily.com/news/18518
**
https://www.macaupostdaily.com/news/24599
Musicians perform at the Hengqin Cultural and Art Centre on Sunday.
This photo taken on Sunday shows the outside of Hengqin Cultural and Art Centre. - Photo: William Chan
Bassoonist Zhu Wukun performs at the Hengqin Cultural and Art Centre on Sunday afternoon. – Photos provided by Huafa Music
