That is how the Musée national des arts asiatiques– Guimet will recount the evolution of French taste for China between 1730 and 1930 in the Hong Kong Museum of Art through the exhibition of major art pieces of that period. In Macau, The Louvre Museum will display Greek sculptures at the Macau Museum of Art, not to mention Picasso at the Hong Kong University Museum.

For all opera, operetta and French cancan lovers, rock music amateurs or hip hop fans, I hope that everyone will take pleasure in the French May 2008 event selection. France, who is honoured to lead the European Union in Hong Kong during the year of 2008, shall not forget Europe : our European friends will take pride of place among the events on offer, including, just to mention a few, the concert of the laureates of the European Academy of Music (Aix-en-Provence Festival), the Pablo Casals chamber music Festival, the exhibition of the 100 etchings from the Pablo Picasso’ Vollard Suite , and also, young talents in contemporary art, whom the Festival is proud to support and present to the eye of the community.

160 years of common history between France and Hong Kong, representing 160 years of joint partnership. This French May predominantly illustrates this through the association of French, Hong Kong and Chinese artists, its contribution to the appeal and educational effort of cultural institutions of Hong Kong, including the Hong Kong Opera, the Hong Kong Ballet, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, and, finally, through access to culture granted to the vast majority thanks to a broad range of prices that take into account all levels of income, notably the young. 

Le French May would not be without the generous and faithful support from individuals and corporations whom I wish to thank here wholeheartedly. Our sponsors understand and value the Festival’s constant ambition to offer a rigorous and daring programme and, consequently, allow a constantly growing public to enjoy the best of French culture.

Jean-Pierre THÉBAULT
Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau

The donation was made with a purpose to alleviate poverty of rural poor farmers in mainland China through the “Warmth Project Lee Shau Kee Foundation Million Farmers and Thousand Village Doctors Training Program”, which had trained within one year a million farmers, of which 94% landed jobs successfully. A charity-based watering project by the name of “Environmental Protection Foundation”, which is even more ambitious than the Warmth Project, is under planning that aims to facilitate the farmers in distant rural areas with adequate farming irrigation and, in turn, to benefit more people. The Henderson Land Group has also been active in sponsoring events of grand-scale in Hong Kong, including the HKSAR 10th Anniversary Reunification Cup held on July 1st, 2007, allowing nearly forty thousand Hong Kong citizens to watch and enjoy three world-class football matches. In the aspect of concern for people, “Peter KK Lee Care for Life Foundation” has been created with the purpose to prevent the ever-aggravating suicidal problem in the society.

This year, the Henderson Land Group further extends its concern for the society from a new perspective of culture and arts. That is why we sponsor Le French May festival, besides paying our immense respect to the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macao for holding such a splendid event, we also hope to bring Hong Kong citizens more enriched cultural life and spiritual remedy.

This year’s Le French May hosts even more activities than ever, covering and containing virtually all facets of music, arts, performances, opera, dances, etc. As for me, sponsoring such a marvelous event is joyful and full of meanings. We have a wish that people can enjoy the beauty of artistic culture and let their soul be so nurtured that they will lead a life of richer delight and depth. The sponsoring of Le French May is just one of the Henderson Land Group’s commitment to supporting Hong Kong’s artistic and cultural activities. We will keep repaying Hong Kong citizens with more sponsored activities to enrich their spirits and minds.

Mr. Peter K. K. LEE
Vice Chairman, the Henderson Land Group