"The Great Unity - Civilisation of the Qin and Han Dynasties in Shaanxi Province” exhibition is running from now until 7th July at the Hong Kong Museum of History. Highlight is three different terracotta warriors of Emperor Qin Shihuang, which are grade-one national treasures and are displayed in Hong Kong for the first time. The exhibition displays a total of more than 130 sets of precious cultural relics, including 11 grade-one national treasures, four of which are being exhibited outside the Mainland for the first time, introducing the development of politics, economy, culture, technology and Sino-foreign transportation during the Qin and Han dynasties. Admission is free.

To keep up with trends, fashion brands launch new designs every season, allowing consumers to purchase stylish clothing at low prices and with quick turnaround. According to the Monitoring of Solid Waste in Hong Kong 2022, 388 tonnes of old clothing and textiles are discarded in local landfills every day, equivalent to 2.7 million T-shirts. However, growing awareness of the environmental damage caused by the fashion industry has sparked efforts to change the "fast fashion" culture. Jasmine Leung, a local fashion designer, has founded a sustainable fashion brand that uses natural, biodegradable fabrics. Her designs incorporate materials made from fibres derived from roses, oranges, bananas, and other natural sources, creating clothing that is both stylish and eco-friendly. Beyond sustainable design, the roles of consumers and producers are equally crucial. In Mong Kok, Tiffany Wong has opened a second-hand fashion store to challenge stereotypes about pre-owned clothing. Meanwhile, the non-profit organization Redress collects and sorts old clothes, providing alternative uses for discarded garments. Additionally, a local textile factory has begun recycling old school uniforms, using advanced technology to break down fabrics into fibres, which are then rewoven into yarn to produce new textiles, giving old clothing a second life.

Pina Bausch’s dance theatre group, Tanztheater Wuppertal has appeared in Hong Kong many times, at the invitation of the Hong Kong Arts Festival, to perform such iconic works such as “The Window Washer”, “Café Müller”, “The Rite of Spring”, “Carnations”, and “Vollmond”. One of the dancers frequently seen in Bausch’s works is Christiana Morganti who presented her solo dance performance, “Jessica and Me” at this year’s Hong Kong Arts Festival. We spoke to her while she was here. The Stallery gallery in Wan Chai is currently celebrating the 10th Anniversary of its opening, and is doing so by presenting a solo exhibition of works by its founder, Ernest Chang, now creating under the artistic alias of CHANG. The works in the exhibition, “Artifice”, explore duality and contradiction in life, centring on the fascination of many traditional Chinese literati with unique rocks and their shapes. The Croatian pianist, Maksim Mrvica is one of the world’s best-known classical crossover musicians. Classically trained, he started playing the piano when he was nine. His rock star image, performance style and repertoire soon made him an international success. To date, his albums have sold over four million copies in 57 countries. He last visited The Works studio in 2011, and last week he joined us again the morning after his performances last month at the Hong Kong City Hall.

The annual International Dragon Boat Races will be held off Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade on June 7th and 8th. Over 100 teams from Hong Kong, Macao, the Mainland and around the world will gather to compete in Victoria Harbour. The Tournament comprises 18 standard boat competitions, and there is prize money for the four Championship events. Another highlight of the event is the “Fancy Dress Competition”. Athletes will dress up in meticulously designed costumes to draw the attention of the audience.

Since its founding, the Challenge Family triathlon series has redefined the spirit of endurance sports. Known for its unique courses, passionate community, and athlete-centered values, Challenge Family offers races in some of the world’s most iconic locations. From the breathtaking landscapes to the demands of each event, Challenge Family is about more than just competition. It’s about athletes pushing beyond their limits, fueled by the support of fans, family, and each other. Through the journeys of athletes, everyone can understand what it takes to prepare, to overcome, and to race with a purpose that goes far beyond the finish line.

Award: Chief Executive’s Award for Teaching Excellence - Certificate of Merit (General Studies) School: Y.C.H. Chan Iu Seng Primary School Awardees: Chan Shiu-tung, Ho Bik-kei, Ho Wing-shuen Learning is a limitless competition, and this round it's General Studies. Three teachers from Yan Chai Hospital Chan Iu Seng Primary School have adopted a "problem-based" teaching approach, encouraging students to ask questions and solve problems encountered. In planning the lessons, the teachers do not take the ordinary approach but integrate various fields of knowledge, from the sky to the sea and everyday life, making learning more comprehensive. This is like a competition without limits. Ms. Ho Bik-kei, an astronomy enthusiast, shares her passion with her students. She applied for an education fund to set up a small planetarium at the school, where students can immerse themselves in learning about the eight planets and the universe. She even takes her students to Sai Kung to see the starry sky. Mr. Chan Shiu-tung teaches students how to make water rockets, guiding them to "learn by doing." Witnessing the water rockets soar into the sky helps students better understand the principles of mechanics. In Addition, Mr. Chan teaches computer programming, where students attempt to design robotic arms to solve everyday problems. Ms. Ho Wing-shuen, who enjoys cooking and gardening, finds the fun of learning in daily life. She encourages students to unleash their creativity, such as designing model boats that collect marine litters or creating noise monitoring systems for the library. Ms. Ho also leads her students to participate in the Science Fair. No matter the students win or lose, they experience a lesson that pushes beyond their personal limits! Both teachers and students are seeking breakthroughs in this limitless learning competition, striving to become better versions of themselves!

In this episode of Tang Dynasty Architecture, we finally set off for the main event! After leaving the ancient city of Pingyao, we head to Wutai Mountain, home to two great ancient Tang Dynasty buildings: "Foguang Temple" and "Nanchan Temple." Tang Dynasty architecture is noted for its rigorous structure and grand dougong (bracket set). Although the two ancient temples differ in scale, each showcases its own beauty in structure. The historical significance of Foguang Temple is particularly noteworthy. Many years ago, before Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin discovered Foguang Temple, people believed that to study Tang Dynasty architecture, one could only visit Japan to see Tang relics. However, after Liang and Lin found Foguang Temple, this notion was proven wrong. This demonstrates that Foguang Temple holds a crucial place in the history of architecture in our country. Moreover, Lin Huiyin, the most talented woman of the Republic of China, along with her husband Liang Sicheng, dedicated their greatest efforts to documenting and studying the architectural history of China. Their poignant love story is not just about romance; it also has far-reaching implications. Shanxi is rich in ancient architecture, and these unique landscapes attract not only ordinary travelers but also the recently popular AAA game "Black Myth: Wukong," which was filmed in Shanxi. Locations such as Foguang Temple, Nanchan Temple, Yungang Grottoes, and Shanhu Temple have all become real-life filming sites for "Black Myth: Wukong." The remarkable talent and cultural heritage of Shanxi serve as a wellspring of modern inspiration. After Wutai Mountain, we will continue to Datong, starting with a visit to the great Buddhist site, the Yungang Grottoes. The Yungang Grottoes were initiated during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty in 460 AD and were basically completed by 524 AD. The grottoes are carved into the mountains, extending 1 kilometer along the eastern and western banks of the Wuzhou River, with 51 main caves housing over 51,000 large and small Buddha statues. The largest statue reaches 17 meters in height, while the smallest is only 2 centimeters tall. The cultural and religious characteristics displayed within are a veritable museum of the Northern Wei period. In recent years, visitors to the Yungang Grottoes, especially players of "Black Myth: Wukong," can imagine themselves as the chosen one, wielding the Golden Staff, and breaking out of your Five Finger Mountain.

Hong Kong's retail market is currently facing numerous challenges, with residents shopping across the border and local spending power weakening. This year's National Day Golden Week saw good foot traffic but poor sales. The government has introduced various measures to boost the tourism industry. However, many recent visitors have reported inconsistent service quality, affecting Hong Kong's image as a tourist city. Despite this, many in the industry are seizing opportunities, adapting and innovating to improve services and actively capture business opportunities. So, what new directions might the future hold for Hong Kong's retail sector?