Jockey Club supports French May in presenting Virtually Versailles exhibition

19/04/2023 20:45

The Hong Kong Jockey Club is delighted to support the French May Arts Festival, the twelfth year in which the Club’s Charities Trust has been its Major Partner. With the theme of PULSARTE, this year’s festival, which runs from April to July, features a wide range of arts programmes and educational initiatives. One of the highlights is Virtually Versailles, the world’s first and only official touring exhibition exploring the Palace of Versailles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is being staged with major support from the Club’s Charities Trust.

The opening ceremony for the exhibition was held today (19 April) at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. Officiating was HKSAR Government Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Vincent Liu, the Club’s Executive Director of Charities and Community Dr Gabriel Leung, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau Christile Drulhe, Co-Chairman of the Board of French May Arts Festival Mignonne Cheng, President of the Versailles Palace Catherine Pégard, Director of Hong Kong Heritage Museum Brian Lam and other guests.

Dr Leung remarked that the Club has a long-standing commitment to promoting arts, culture and heritage in Hong Kong. The Virtually Versailles exhibition, combining heritage and digital technology, and the festival’s multi-art-form programmes, aims to inspire creativity, foster cultural exchange, and enhance our city’s cultural richness and vitality.

Through 360-degree high-definition panoramic videos, interactive installations and dedicated mobile application, Virtually Versailles enables visitors to explore the most striking locations inside the palace, including the Hall of Mirrors and the spectacular gardens. They can even catch a glimpse inside Marie Antoinette’s bedchamber. Connecting past and present, the exhibition allows visitors to discover the heritage and treasures of Versailles from a new perspective.

Other French May programmes supported by the Club’s Charities Trust include French Rendezvous@Tai Kwun.  De La Fontaine, a performance featuring giant puppets and aerial dance, will be showcased in the Parade Ground at Tai Kwun, while Tai Kwun Conversations – Heritage in Times of War will examine the importance of cultural heritage conservation in conflict-affected areas.

In addition, the long-established Jockey Club Community Outreach and Arts Education Programmes will continue to provide vibrant and enriching educational and outreach activities, including screenings, school tours and in-depth talks for the Virtually Versailles exhibition. A special highlight will be a series of live and online talks, masterclasses and workshops presented by French artists and performers. As every year, complimentary tickets will be provided to the disadvantaged, allowing more people to enjoy the festival.

The Club’s support for the French May Arts Festival, like all of its charity donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate tax and charity support for the community.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2021/22, the Club returned a total of HK$33.6 billion to the community. This included HK$27.0 billion to the Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$6.6 billion in approved charity donations.  The Club is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer and one of the city's major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world's top ten charity donors. The Club is always "riding high together for a better future" with the people of Hong Kong.