WestK and Cathay launch “WestK in the Sky”

The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA or the Authority) launch a new video series, “WestK in the Sky”, in collaboration with its exclusive Travel Partner, Cathay. The videos are now available on the in-flight entertainment system across Cathay Pacific’s extensive passenger network, reaching travellers from around the globe to promote Hong Kong’s arts and cultural scene.

This new video initiative builds on the three-year partnership between WestK and Cathay signed in 2023, reinforcing their shared vision to promote Hong Kong’s premium arts scene and cultural landscape to global travellers and boost the city’s standing as a cultural tourism hub.

Produced by WestK, the video series explores the unique programmes, exhibitions and experiences staged by the Hong Kong Palace Museum, M+ and the Performing Arts Division of WestK through creative storytelling, showcasing both WestK and Cathay’s role in promoting Hong Kong’s artistic excellence. Six episodes were launched from 1 April, starting with “A Unique Cultural Mission”, in which renowned host and artiste Do Do Cheng visits the Hong Kong Palace Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District and Cathay City to engage in inspiring conversations with Betty Fung, Chief Executive Officer of WKCDA, and Ronald Lam, Chief Executive Officer of the Cathay Group, exploring their shared mission to promote the excellence of Hong Kong’s arts, culture and creative industries. Other episodes include:

• “Inside Hong Kong Palace Museum”: Museum Director Dr Louis Ng unveils the Museum’s stunning architecture, captivating exhibitions and innovative digital initiatives and multi-media experiences.
• “Inside M+”: Museum Director Suhanya Raffel is joined by Artistic Director and Chief Curator Doryun Chong to guide viewers around M+, Asia’s global museum of contemporary visual culture in Hong Kong, and learn more about its diverse collections and exhibitions.
• “A Dazzling Fashion Journey”: Acclaimed singer and fashion icon Karen Mok explores three centuries of French fashion at the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Lending her voice to the audio guide for the 2024 exhibition “The Adorned Body: French Fashion and Jewellery 1770–1910 from the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris”, Ms Mok takes the audience on a journey through this exquisite collection of historical costumes and accessories.
• “M+ Facade: A Canvas of Light”: One of the world’s largest LED screens, the M+ Facade presents a stunning display against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s famous skyline, turning the museum’s tower frontage into a vibrant, dynamic canvas that acts as a curatorial space and digital exhibition platform. This video introduces various past commissions and reveals the best locations to view the works.
• “When Jazz meets Cantopop”: The Patrick Lui Jazz Orchestra joined forces with Cantopop icons RubberBand at Freespace Jazz Fest 2024, one of WestK’s signature music events, to reimagine music from classic Hong Kong films. This episode reveals the creative journey behind this unprecedented collaboration, offering viewers an intimate look at how jazz and pop music were brought together in an inspiring way.

Ronald Lam, Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are excited to launch ‘WestK in the Sky’ in collaboration with the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority on Cathay Pacific’s award-winning in-flight entertainment system. The collaboration not only allows us to highlight the allure of Hong Kong through compelling storytelling, but also underscores Cathay’s vital role in promoting the long-term and sustainable development of Hong Kong’s arts and culture. I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to participate in the first episode, sharing stories of Cathay’s support for the WKCDA’s various exhibitions and performing arts programmes with our customers around the globe, and our joint commitment to strengthening Hong Kong’s position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.”

Betty Fung, Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, said, “We are grateful for the staunch support from Cathay to provide a global platform that enables international travellers to experience WestK’s unique offerings through the ‘WestK in the Sky’ video series. WestK attracts more than 10 million visitors from around the world every year and we look forward to welcoming even more global audiences through Cathay Pacific’s extensive passenger network, allowing them to explore our diverse arts and cultural offerings and promoting local and international artistic and cultural exchange.”

Do Do Cheng expressed her delight at being able to participate in the “WestK in the Sky” video series. “WestK stands one of the world’s largest cultural projects and Hong Kong’s newest cultural landmark, while Cathay is a prestigious lifestyle brand deeply rooted in Hong Kong’s premium travel sector. As a homegrown artiste, I am delighted to be part of this project, collaborating with these two iconic Hong Kong brands to showcase our city’s vibrant cultural energy to a global audience.”

WKCDA and Cathay announced a three-year partnership in 2023, with Cathay becoming the Authority’s exclusive Travel Partner. The partnership with Cathay supports WestK in various ways, including the provision of air services for transporting exhibits for exhibitions organised by the Hong Kong Palace Museum and M+, and for the inbound and outbound travel oflocal and overseas artists participating in WestK’s performing arts programmes.