Chinachem Group, which helps present "One Beat, One World: Connecting Through the Drum" Carnival and 5G Live Concert on Oct 14, 2023, stages a corporate team performance led by Group's Executive Director and CEO, Donald Choi at center in Arts Park of the West Kowloon Cultural District.  (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Artists from several nations join Hong Kong amateur performers in sending drum beats, sound music and joy across the world on Saturday from a music festival featuring drum performances and an open and live concert held in Hong Kong.

From morning till evening, the Arts Park of the West Kowloon Cultural District was filled with drum music, resounding throughout Victoria Harbour.

Organized by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and presented by Chinachem Group, "One Beat, One World: Connecting Through the Drum" Carnival and 5G Live Concert attracted thousands of visitors and audience members to participate in drumming activities and enjoy wonderful performances.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Hong Kong Drum Festival launched by Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, the most sought-after event of the program presented by Chinachem Group was held with the aim of spreading the positive spirit through the power of drumming, and re- establishing the reputation of Hong Kong as the "events capital".

John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, first kicked off the event with his video greeting and gave his recognition to the event as it serves as a good example in advancing the positive interplay between culture and tourism.

Professor Yan Huichang (third from right), Artistic Director and Principal Conductor for Life, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, and Chinachem Group's Executive Director and CEO Donald Choi (fourth from right) takes a group photo with local artists at the drum carnival and concert in West Kowloon on Oct 14, 2023.(PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

"Visitors and members of the public can enjoy the view of Victoria Harbour while enjoying drumming in the West Kowloon Cultural District," he said, adding that concert was broadcast live to global audiences in 5G to "promote Hong Kong's image as a high-quality tourist city and a fusion of Chinese and Western culture".

According to the CE, the HKCO also cares about all sectors of society, which arranged not only ethnic minorities but also young prisoners to take part, in order to spread positive energy to the society through music at the festival.

Professor Yan Huichang, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor for Life, Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, said: "HKCO will continue to bring musical feasts to the public and promoting fine Chinese and Hong Kong stories." His proposal got support from local sponsors and institutions.

It was Yan who started Hong Kong Drum Festival in 2003 to inspire the public and enliven the city's mood after it was hit hard by SARS epidemic. HKCO is grateful to the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Hong Kong Tourism Board and Chinachem Group for their support, he said.

Students from Victoria Shanghai Academy, a top-prize winning team of the "Hong Kong Synergy 24 Drum Competition", give live performances at the carnival in West Kowloon on Oct 14, 2023. (YANG HAN / CHINA DAILY)

Chinachem Group's Executive Director and CEO, Donald Choi, said that they chose to particularly support the drum activities not only because “drum is like life” and but also because this piece of musical instrument is fun but easy to play, suitable for age groups from the youngest to the elderly people. The festival also saw the participation of those with disabilities.

He stated, "Committed to supporting and fostering arts and culture, Chinachem Group believes in the power of art which can inspire and enhance life qualities."

The group's drum team led by Choi himself, the first corporate drum team in the special administrative region, delivered a performance at the festival.

"We are honoured to collaborate with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, the world-class orchestra, for the first time, to present an enthralling series of activities," Choi also noted, adding that those events bear the aims of connecting citizens from all walks of life, promoting mental well-being, and injecting positive energy into our society.

Disabled people and elderly are among 16,000 participants in this year's Hong Kong Synergy 24 Drum Competition and winning teams. (YANG HAN / CHINA DAILY)

At the festival, audience were wowed by stage performances made by the winning teams of the “Hong Kong Synergy 24 Drum Competition”, which invited drum elites and enthusiasts from all walks of life in Hong Kong to showcase for two sets of “Hong Kong Synergy 24 Drum Competition” and compete for multiple awards.

The tournament has accumulated 1,299 teams and more than 16,000 participants, with the oldest participants over 98-year-old and the youngest only two-and-half years old, according to organizers from the orchestra. Three winners were awarded from each of the categories, including Greater China Intercollegiate Division, Special Schools and Rehabilitation Organisations Division, Evergreen Division, Designated Repertoire Division, Freestyle Division, Future Drum King Battle and Lion Drum Band.

The excellent performances of the students from Victoria Shanghai Academy, who won the championship in the kindergartens and primary schools' group, have particularly amazed both professionals and fans.

"I'm stunned by the vibrant performance of the students," said Dr Chan Wai-kai, Chairman of the Council of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. "I was already impressed by their performance in the preliminary round of selection, but it's a different experience to see it performed outdoors."

This signature event featured various other exciting activities, like the setup of a giant 3.47-metre-tall Peace Drum for everyone to play, the parade performed by the drumming teams recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of China, including Yan'an City An'sai Waist Drum Troupe from Shaanxi province, Chengnan Zhongjing Yingge Team from Shantou, Guangdong province and Shanxi Jiangzhou Drum Troupe.

As an event of free admission, visitors also participated in and enjoyed a wide range of activities like drumming workshops, game booths, food and drink counters, for spending a happy weekend with friends and families. The on-site audience received a Chinese rattle drum to play music with the performers on stage.

Officiating guests of "One Beat, One World: Connecting Through the Drum" Carnival and 5G Live Concert included government officials, legislative council members, senior figures from Chinachem Group and Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra.

The largest drum in Hong Kong, the 3.47-meter-tall Peace Drum built during fight against SARS outbreak in 2003 and played on Oct 14, 2023, attracts artists and other visitors to the carnival. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Guests also included Consuls from various countries, socialites and renowned persons from cultural and business fields.

Over the decades, the festival has enabled people from all walks of life, including schoolchildren, disabled elderly, and lion and dragon dance troupes, to understand and experience the beauty of Chinese music and culture.

Highlights of the program include the online game "#DrumChallenge", video performances by world drumming teams, percussion workshops at Central Market and Nina Mall, and a music wellness workshop at Nina Hotel Tsuen Wan West.