Over 5,000 people participated a series of month-long cultural activities at the West Kowloon promenade organised by the Hong Kong institute of Contemporary Culture.

MaD (Made a Difference) @ West Kowloon, drew more than 3,000 youngsters, mostly post 80s from as many as 70 cities, to the carnival on January 7th as many enjoyed the final fun party and only wanted to leave before midnight.

3,000 enjoy MaD@West Kowloon night carnival!

Themed as “Let’s own it!” the program offered the public a wide range of creative activities, including outdoor art installations, art workshops, opportunities to make art together with artists (for instance, in "Instant Skyline" and "Get Together Camera") and experience "culture" through dialogues (in "Human Library"), and the closing party featuring band shows, a cross-disciplinary performance, percussion jam and dance improvisation, with the help of over 100 art practitioners  and 180 stall owners, most of them selling artistic and handy items.

Ada WONG, Convenor of MaD and Hon Chief Executive, Hong Kong Institute of Contemporary Culture, said, “The key concepts of MaD@West Kowloon are freedom, autonomy and ownership. The exciting mix of self-initiated activities clearly demonstrated the potential of co-creation in the Age of Web 2.0.”

Most participants knew the four week event through social forum and word-of-mouth.

Kaifongs cheer Yaumatei Cultural Celebration

Meanwhile, the Yaumatei Cultural Celebration attracted more than 18,000 residents (or affectionately kaifongs) and tourists for the exhibition that best represent the nostalgic but also vibrant district.

Organised by Hulu Culture, the exhibition was held  on December 18th and January 15th at the junction of Shanghai Street and Kansu Street. A variety of activities that includes youth dance performance from City Contemporary Dance Company, Temple Street famous “Naamyam” and the art work about mahjong and fruit boxes by Yaumatei-grown artist like Carl Cheng Chi-ming, were among kaifongs’ favourites.