Singapore non-profit signs MOU with Hong Kong's West Kowloon Cultural District Authority

The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) recently announced that 20 leading arts and cultural institutions worldwide will be signing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) during the Hong Kong International Cultural Summit 2024. 

It’s a move that underscores a growing trend towards international cultural cooperation in a range of areas, including exhibitions, collection sharing, conservation, and educational programs. 

Scheduled from March 24 to 26 this year, The Summit marks a significant moment for a global cultural dialogue and aims to foster discussions and collaborations that bridge artistic divides and promote mutual understanding between storied arts institutions. 

A Singaporean presence

Singapore’s contribution, specifically through the Asian Film Archive, highlights its pivotal role in preserving Asia's cinematic heritage and facilitating cross-cultural dialogue. This participation underscores Singapore's commitment to the arts and its strategic position in the global cultural landscape as a connector between East and West.

The significance of these partnerships extends beyond the immediate benefits of shared resources and expertise. They represent a collective move towards understanding the importance of cultural heritage in a global context and the role it plays in fostering global connections. 

Henry Tang Ying-yen, Chairman of the WKCDA Board, emphasised the potential of these collaborations: “We anticipate that the collaborations will take global arts and cultural discourse to the next level, sparking a new era of creativity and artistic connectivity for Hong Kong and reinforcing the Authority’s vision of strengthening Hong Kong’s strategic role as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.

The Summit is set to convene over 1,000 luminaries from the global arts sphere for a series of dialogues spanning three days. The agenda begins with a Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony and a Welcome Dinner on March 24, setting the stage for a plenary session at the Xiqu Centre the following morning. 

The Summit will then unfold through four themed panel discussions hosted at the M+ and HKPM venues on the afternoons of March 25 and the morning of March 26. This conference will feature a roster of over 20 prominent figures from 12 different countries and regions. 

These include the heads of some of the world's foremost revered international arts and cultural institutions who will be exploring pressing topics related to the evolution of cultural districts and museums.