This year's International Arts Carnival (IAC), presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, has invited drama company La Buena Compañía from Spain to come to Hong Kong and perform the Asian premiere of multidisciplinary theatre work "DEMO, Elegy of the moment" in July. The programme blends elements of mime, mask theatre, puppetry and contemporary dance, and uses body movements instead of words to enable audiences to reflect on the value of the family and the responsibility of adults in setting an example for children in the face of technological advancements. It is also one of the celebratory programmes of the 35th anniversary of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
Technological products have become deeply embedded in people's daily lives, creating a paradox where people are constantly connected online yet often feel distanced from one another. Inspired by this phenomenon, La Buena Compañía created "DEMO, Elegy of the moment", which depicts the story of how an ordinary family, comprising a grandmother, a father, a mother and a daughter, lives through and gradually gets accustomed to navigating successive waves of technological advancements from the 1980s to the present. The company prompts audiences to pause and reassess whether technological conveniences have inadvertently caused them to neglect the people and things that matter most in their lives. With detailed body movements and elegant dances, as well as exquisite puppets and props, lighting effects and original music, the production vividly presents the challenges faced by families in the digital age. The company received the award for Best Original Music at the LORCA Award for Performing Arts of Andalucia 2022 with this work.
La Buena Compañía of Spain was co-founded by stage director Chema Caballero, and psychologist and professional dancer Ángela Bodega in 2014. With family and children as its target audience, the company uses dance and puppetry to present their stories with a main focus on addressing socially relevant issues. Over the years, the company has participated in various arts festivals in Spain, including the Hidalgo Puppet Festival, the South Palma of Rio Theater Fair and the Malaga International Puppet and Object Festival.
The International Arts Carnival 2024: "DEMO, Elegy of the moment" by La Buena Compañía (Spain) will be held at 8pm on July 12 and 13 (Friday and Saturday), and at 3pm on July 13 and 14 (Saturday and Sunday) at the Studio Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets priced at $280 and $340 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7323　or　visit
www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/multi_arts/programs_1660.html. The programme is recommended for people aged 6 and above.
A meet-the-artist session (in Spanish with English and Cantonese interpretation) will be held after each performance. Members of the audience are welcome to stay behind to join.
This year's IAC will run from July 5 to August 11, featuring a wide array of fun-filled educational programmes by overseas, Mainland and local art groups and artists. In addition to acrobatics, magic, dance, music, theatre and puppetry, the IAC will also offer film screenings, online programmes, parent-child workshops and an exhibition. For the IAC's programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.hkiac.gov.hk.
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