“Italia Mia”, the Festival of Italian Culture and Lifestyle organized by the Consulate General and the Italian Cultural Institute in Hong Kong, opened its doors, offering to the local public a rich program including more than 40 events dedicated to the promotion of Italy.
For two months, from October to November, the third edition of Italia Mia will host a series of events, including music, cinema, theatre, opera, visual arts and culinary experiences. The festival was organized thanks to the support of the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong and Macao and several local institutions and sponsors.
The festival officially started on October 4th with “Italia All’Opera” a concert at City Hall performed by soprano Louise Kwong and tenor Chen Chen, who sang some arias written by Puccini, Donizetti and Rossini. They were accompanied by the musicians of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Italian maestro Lorenzo Iosco and with the participation of violinist Gian Paolo Peloso.
The opening concert marked the beginning of a rich season of cultural events that will be held during the Festival. These events include: the staging of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly“, the ninth edition of the Hong Kong Salento International Film Festival, a preview screening in Hong Kong of “Tre Piani“, Nanni Moretti’s latest movie, the participation of novelist Gianrico Carofiglio at the Hong Kong International Literary Festival, and many others.
For food lovers, there will be several opportunities to explore Italian food and wine, including: the Grand Tour of Italy; the White Truffle Gala Dinner organized by the Order of the Knights of the Truffle and Wines of Alba; the events organized by “Vino Condiviso“; finally, a live-streaming cooking class with Michelin-starred Chef Andrea Spagoni and actor Saulo Lucci, who, to celebrate the 700th anniversary of the death of Dante Alighieri, will prepare and present, in a theatrical way, three dishes, each inspired to one of the three cantos of the Poet’s Divine Comedy: Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso.
The rich program of culinary events is organized thanks to the collaboration of the Italian Trade Agency, the Italian Academy of Cuisine, the association “Vino Condiviso” and about thirty restaurants and shops of Italian products in Hong Kong.
Italia Mia is designed to be a culturally enrichment experience, where participants will have the opportunity to dive into Italian culture, exploring it in all its facets.
Stefano Fossati, the Director of the Italian Cultural Institute, said: “It is our great pleasure to offer an immersive experience of Italian Culture. We hope the Hong Kong public will have a good time exploring “La Dolce Vita” through these events!”
