Last night, the French May Arts Festival held its 30th-anniversary gala dinner at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, commemorating the three-decades-long cultural and creative programme while raising a staggering HK$12,000,000 in support of future educational developments and local artists.
Over 200 attendees celebrated the achievements of the French May at the milestone-marking fundraising gala dinner, alongside key officiating guests such as John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Christile Drulhe, consul general of France in HKSAR and Macao SAR, who were joined by French May co-chairs Pansy Ho and Mignonne Cheng.
Among the night’s festivities, guests were treated to delectable culinary surprises, a live performance by a French quartet, a pall mall game with marvellous prizes, and a 30th-anniversary cake-cutting ceremony, before the event culminated in a live auction, conducted by Christie’s. A bidding war saw 10 coveted lots go under the hammer, including an exclusive itinerary to Paris, France, and VIP tickets to the 2023 Golden Vines Awards sponsored by Robb Report Hong Kong, offering one couple the rare opportunity to attend the “Oscars” of the fine wine world, indulge in unparalleled gourmet experiences presented by acclaimed chefs Alain Ducasse and Akrame Benallal, and attending masterclasses hosted by Dom Pérignon and Liber Pater. A five-night stay at Hôtel de Crillon, a Rosewood Hotel, is part of the package.
Other auction items offered by sponsors on the night included a diamond-set Alhambra lady’s watch by Van Cleef & Arpels, a monogrammed watch case by Louis Vuitton, a fashion styling consultation by Chanel, a set of diamond earrings by Chopard, a signed Zao Wou-ki artwork by Villepin, and more.
On the occasion, Cheng and Ho remarked, “This gala dinner is all the more special as it marks the 30th year of the festival. Tonight is an opportunity to celebrate the festival’s contribution over the past thirty years and to show continued support for its development for the next thirty. With its renowned programming of visual arts, cinema, music, and dance, the French May Arts Festival has established itself as a vital cultural platform, and this gala dinner is a testament to its strength and vitality.”
Since its establishment in 1993, the French May has become one of the most important annual cultural events in Asia, presenting more than 100 programmes every year. Artistic showcases, held across two months and reaching over 200,000 visitors, provide a stage to spotlight art forms such as painting, design, heritage, classical and contemporary music, dance, cinema, and more.
