FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hong Kong Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker – A Hong Kong Adventure’ Wins Star of Outstanding Award at
UNESCO’s 2024 Global Awards for World Heritage Education Innovative Cases
[Hong Kong — 30 July 2024] Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) is honoured that Artistic Director Septime Webre’s ‘The Nutcracker – A Hong Kong Adventure’ and its community outreach activities won the Star of Outstanding Award at UNESCO’s 2024 Global Awards for World Heritage Education Innovative Cases.
This meaningful award recognises HKB’s efforts in adapting a world-renowned ballet classic into a fresh, new production filled with Hong Kong cultural elements and landmarks. Webre said, ‘We will continue creating inspiring works that promote our beloved city by reaching a larger audience overseas and online while encouraging Hong Kong people to have a deeper appreciation of their heritage and culture.’
Filled with lively dancing, sparkling sets and costumes and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music, The Nutcracker follows Clara, Fritz and the Nutcracker Prince as they embark on a magical adventure through a snowy bamboo forest, battle the villainous Rat King and encounter a host of whimsical characters, including blossoming bauhinias, playful peacocks and dancing dim sum that celebrate Hong Kong’s rich cultural tapestry. Additionally, in the opening scene 21 paintings from the Hong Kong Museum of Art are prominently displayed in a glamorous ballroom where Clara’s family is hosting a Christmas Eve party.
Related community outreach activities notably included a ballet workshop that taught participants simple choreography from the festive production and showcased original costumes used in the show. This was followed by a special field trip for seniors and underserved families to unique Hong Kong heritage sites featured in HKB’s The Nutcracker, like Kom Tong Hall and the former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower.
Executive Director Heidi Lee said, ‘HKB's artistic team, all its staff and its board of governors warmly thank the judging panel for acknowledging the work of our dedicated team both on and off the stage. It’s been an incredible journey so far, and we are just getting started!’
The Nutcracker will return to Hong Kong Cultural Centre’s Grand Theatre this December for three weeks of lively, festive performances for audiences of all ages. Early bird booking starts in September. Details will be announced on hkballet.com.
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For interviews and further information, please contact:
Hong Kong Ballet
Jerry Qiu | Communications & Programme Manager | T: 21059753 | [email protected]
Ruth Chung | Senior Marketing and PR Officer | T: 21059716 | [email protected]
About Hong Kong Ballet
Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) is recognised internationally as a world-class institution that represents Hong Kong's unique character. Since its inception in 1979, HKB has evolved into a vibrant performing arts organisation with a dynamic repertoire, forward-thinking community engagement initiatives and an emphasis on excellence.
Comprised of 50 dancers from all over the globe – Hong Kong, Mainland China and other parts of Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America, HKB has won recognition both regionally and internationally with celebrated re-stagings of the classics, neoclassical masterworks by George Balanchine and others and original ballets created for HKB and about Hong Kong. Additionally, HKB performs works by some of today’s most sought-after choreographers, including Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, Wayne McGregor, Justin Peck, Jiří Kylian, Nacho Duato and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa as well as innovative new works by its Choreographer-in-Residence, Hu Song-wei Ricky, and numerous emerging Hong Kong choreographers.
With almost 50 tours to 11 countries, HKB has recently toured throughout Europe, the US and Asia and places a special emphasis on representing Hong Kong in Mainland China and the West. HKB maintains the Hong Kong Academy of Ballet, a professionally-oriented ballet school, as well as a full schedule of award-winning community programmes and crossover collaborations throughout Hong Kong to ensure ballet is accessible to all. HKB has also produced engaging original videos and dance films that have collectively garnered over 10 million views online, connecting with ballet lovers worldwide.
