The BHKS and the Hong Kong Economic and Office in Brussels supported the 7th edition of the “Legends of Lion Dance” in Antwerp, Belgium on 13 – 29 January 2023, which showcased Hong Kong’s cultural heritage, craftmanship and Chinese New Year traditions.  The event included an exhibition of 14 lion heads, embroidered and made in Hong Kong, as well as panels and videos covering the latest developments in Hong Kong such as Kai Tak Sports Park and East Kowloon Cultural District, and Hong Kong’s role as an international cultural hub and an ideal location for overseas talents.  Together with a wide range of art and cultural workshops, there were also two Hong Kong film nights, with screening of “Far Far Away” on 17 January 2023 and “The Sparring Partner” on 25 January 2023.  Highlights of the event came with a Lion Dance Parade held on 22 January 2023, the first day of the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit, attended by hundreds of people in Antwerp.  

After having online reception for the last two years, the BHKS jointly with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels resumed to organise a physical Chinese New Year Reception in 2023 to celebrate the start of the Year of the Rabbit.

The reception was held on 31 January 2023 with over 300 guests from the local government, diplomatic, business and academic circles as well as Hong Kong communities.  The reception was well-received by our guests, who were amused with lion dance, a string quartet performance of young musicians from Hong Kong, France and the Philippines as well as selected Chinese dishes in the buffet dinner to showcase Hong Kong as the crossroads of East and West.     

A lucky draw was also held during the reception to raise money for the BHKS Education Fund to help support the exchange activities of students and young talents between Belgium and Hong Kong.  There was no other way to start a new year more meaningful than supporting the youth and winning a prize at the same time.  

The BHKS co-organised with Ebury a fintech company and the Belgium-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (BLCCHK) a webinar on 23 February 2023 on how to optimise payments and currency risks when trading in Renminbi (RMB) with possible fintech solutions.  Hong Kong as an international financial centre and the prime RMB trading hub plays a role here.

The topics of discussion covered:
- tips on how to tackle currency risks;
- demystify the issues around getting money out of China;
- instant payments between Belgium and Hong Kong.

Supported by the BHKS Education Fund, two screendance pieces of Ms Hazel Lam, a Hong Kong dance artist, were programmed in "Made in China" Festival held in Gent on 26 March 2023.  This nearly one-month Festival comes to its 4th edition this March with the vision to bring Chinese contemporary art and culture to the audience in Belgium.  

"The Belgian Days in Hong Kong" is a very first initiative of the Consulate General of Belgium in Hong Kong, together with a wide network of partner organisations, to show the continued interest to work and to create bridges between Belgium and Hong Kong.

The first edition of the Belgian Days in Hong Kong will be held on 13 - 19 November 2023 via a list of seminars, receptions, exhibitions and fairs to allow the public and guests to get a glimpse of Belgian culture, vibes and delights!