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Central’s heritage hangout Tai Kwun is hitting a major milestone this month, celebrating its eighth birthday with a packed schedule of art, history, and a vibrant summer deck that’s set to take over the compound for the next few months.
The festivities begin on May 22, when the Parade Ground will be transformed into a lush green lawn, featuring various colourful furniture to create a resort-style oasis for anyone in need of some summer lounging. The deck will open daily from 8am to 11pm and admission is completely free.
The culture hub also has plenty in store for those who want to dig a little deeper into the city’s history and explore beyond the prison walls. Back by popular demand, the City Explorer on Tram family workshop returns on May 16 and 23. This guided journey will travel from the Western District to Happy Valley, encouraging families to connect with the city’s past and learn how the urban landscape has evolved, see historical photographs, and make their own illustrated maps along the way.
On May 30, creative types can join the Lion Head DIY workshop to sculpt a miniature lion head inspired by the compound’s historic gargoyles while learning about the symbolic meaning of these architectural elements. Also happening on the same day are the ‘We All Belong’ guided tours led by youths from different cultural backgrounds, who will use personal stories to explore how their cultural identities cross paths with the site’s rich multicultural history. Participation is free, though you’ll need to register in advance.
The fun doesn’t stop in May, as the rest of summer looks just as busy. Highlights include the Asia premiere of ‘Wayne McGregor: On The Other Earth’ – a 360-degree art-tech choreographic installation that’s already made the rounds in Venice and London – and a much-anticipated pop-culture exhibition ‘Better Together – Partnering Up for Hong Kong Movies’. You can also expect a solo live art presentation from 60th Venice Biennale participant Isaac Chong Wai and the third edition of Ryan Villamael’s spectator-led programme, Open the Box.
As an anniversary treat, visitors can enjoy 20 percent off selected ticketed programmes. If you’re a TK Fan member, you can also redeem a special Tai Kwun stamp with a spending of $100 or more at onsite shops and restaurants until July 1. Head over to taikwun.hk to book your spot now and join the summer celebrations.
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