EdUHK Hosts “International Conference on One Belt One Road Arts and Culture 2025” Fostering Cultural Exchange and Preservation
To foster cultural exchange and preservation among Belt and Road countries, The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) organised the International Conference on One Belt One Road Arts and Culture 2025 (ICOAC25) at Hong Kong Palace Museum, on 13 and 14 September. It was supported by the Belt and Road Office of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (Belt and Road Office).
ICOAC25 attracted over 300 leading academics, researchers, artists, educators, and professionals for the two-day cultural festival. The opening ceremony was officiated by Mr Nicholas Ho Lik-chi, Commissioner for Belt and Road of the HKSAR Government, Dr Henry Ho Kin-chung, Council member of EdUHK, Ms Lu Ke, Deputy Director of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences of the Commissioner's Office of China's Foreign Ministry, and Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, President of EdUHK. It was followed by the opening performance, led by keynote speaker Professor Wong Chuen-fung, featuring the musical composition ‘Longa Farahfaza’, which blends Arabic and Turkish musical forms.
The conference was complemented by the HKCO’s Season Opening Concert, ‘Silken Notes of the Pipa’, performed at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on 12 and 13 September, with EdUHK as the One Belt One Road Arts and Culture Strategic partner.
EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin stated that in the Belt and Road Initiative, Hong Kong acts as a vital ‘super connector’. Through the Belt and Road Office, the conference serves as a platform fostering talents, scholars and researchers from all over the world to explore and celebrate the rich cultural diversity and artistic legacies that bind the countries along the historic and contemporary Silk Road, thereby forging stronger ties with Belt and Road countries.
Mr Nicholas Ho Lik-chi, Commissioner for Belt and Road of the HKSAR Government said, “The Belt and Road Initiative dated back to a long history of the Silk Road. It is not only about trade and investment, railways and infrastructure. It is equally about supporting people-to-people exchanges and connectivity. More and more collaboration is being achieved in various fields, including education, arts, culture and creativity.”
During the conference, experts and scholars from all over the world discussed topics including cultural heritage and identity; arts, education and interdisciplinary dialogue; technology and future cultural practice; as well as arts, policies and cultural diplomacy. Renowned scholars, including Professor Pamela Burnard (University of Cambridge), Professor Patricia Shehan Campbell (University of Washington), Professor Chan Ming-chi (Xinghai Conservatory of Music), Professor Ho Puay-peng (National University of Singapore), Professor David Gabriel Hebert (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences), Professor Tsai Tsan-huang (Nanjing Normal University), Professor Wong Chuen-fung (Macalester College), and Professor Yan Huichang (HKCO), delivered keynote speeches and set the stage for deepening dialogue, fostering cross-cultural understanding, and inspiring new collaborations in OBOR arts and culture. The keynote addresses highlighted innovative cultural and transdisciplinary practices shaping the future and showcased diverse cultures along ancient trade routes. They emphasised music’s crucial role in diplomacy and intercultural understanding, as well as the significance of historical musical instruments and sensory practices in promoting cultural heritage and exchange.
ICOAC25 also included plenary sessions on musical heritage, parallel sessions on topics such as culturally responsive music curricula and heritage and innovation in Cantonese opera, as well as workshops and art performances, aimed at fostering different cultural understanding and collaboration. Dr Leung Chi-hin, Chairperson of the Organising Committee, concluded the conference by expressing sincere gratitude to all attendees, supporting partners and staff for their contributions to the event’s success.
The conference came to a close with a special evening of cultural music experience, ‘The Dunhuang Soundscape’, performed by the Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble. These newly composed works recreate and enliven musical scenes from over a thousand years ago, as depicted in the murals of the Dunhuang grottoes.
-Ends-
EdUHK Hosts “International Conference on One Belt One Road Arts and Culture 2025” Fostering Cultural Exchange and Preservation
Download all images
