The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will launch the Muse Fest HK 2023 with the theme of "Hong Kong H.A.S. (History. Arts. Science.) Museums" in November, rolling out about 80 fabulous programmes in LCSD museums and cultural spaces to enable members of the public to delve into the amazing world of arts and culture.
      
     The first programme to open the curtain on this year's museum festival is A Fiesta of Imagination to be held at the Hong Kong Science Museum (HKScM) on November 4 and 5 (Saturday and Sunday). The fiesta is a joint venture of various cultural sections under the LCSD including the HKScM's Science Promotion Unit, Conservation Office, Hong Kong Public Libraries, Film Programmes Office, Community Programmes Office and Music Office, aiming to give the public a fascinating experience through exploring the wonders of science fiction. The fiesta is also one of the premier events of the "Science Fiction: Voyage to the Edge of Imagination" exhibition by the HKScM.
      
     Programmes of the fiesta include Gear Up - Nano World organised by the Science Promotion Unit, which will introduce nano science and showcase the applications of nanotechnology in people's daily lives through interactive exhibits and a classic mini exhibition van. The HKScM has also invited local sci-fi author Felix Tse to share his series of works with interactive activities so as to explore science in fiction together with participants. The Hong Kong Public Libraries will bring visitors a selection of about 300 books and an interactive storytelling device which allows them to go into different stories settings and engage in a dynamic way of reading by controlling avatar characters with motion detection devices. The Music Office's youth string orchestras and symphonic band will present "Sci-Fi. Time Travel" concerts, offering audiences classic film music from popular sci-fi films. The Community Programmes Office will present In Your Sight. In Your Mind 2.0 by incorporating elements of science and technology into the magic performance so that audiences can feel the wonder of magic both visually and psychologically. The Film Programmes Office's Sci-Fi and Animation Films Screening will bring audiences of all ages two movies including the sci-fi classic "Frankenstein" (1931) and the animation movie "Big Hero 6" (2014). The educational and entertaining Conservator’s Ingenious Trick - Agar Gel booth activity by the Conservation Office will introduce the ingenious applications of innovative material in the conservation of cultural heritage.
      
     A number of museums will host fun days in November. They include the Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum, the Hong Kong Railway Museum, Oil Street Art Space (Oi!), the Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery, and the Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre located in the Sam Tung Uk Museum. In addition, the Hong Kong Space Museum (HKSpM), the Hong Kong Heritage Museum (HKHM) and the Conservation Office will launch special programmes namely Behind-the-Scene Tours, Love Hong Kong: Fun@HKHM and Conservation Lab Tour respectively.
      
     Various new exhibitions will be open in November. They include "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Titian and the Venetian Renaissance from the Uffizi" at the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA), "Cinderella and Her Qipao Exhibition" at the Hong Kong Film Archive (HKFA), and the HKHM's "The Reflection - Art & Design of Hon Bing-wah".
      
     Besides the daytime programmes, museums also offer exciting night-time activities. To echo the Night Vibes Hong Kong campaign, the HKMoA, the HKScM and the HKSpM will extend their opening hours to 10pm on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays until the end of November, and offer special programmes on Saturday evenings. The HKMoA, in collaboration with the HKFA, will present Movie Date at the Museum, allowing audiences to watch classic local romantic movies. Members of the public can make interesting crafts or try different science experiments to enjoy science at the game booths featured at the HKScM's Science Fun Night, while the HKSpM will be turning into a Starry Wonderland where participants can enjoy the night sky with astronomical telescopes at its rooftop.

     LCSD Museum Pass holders may also enjoy exclusive admission to experience special programmes during the festival period. Oi! will present Oi! Night Walk and lead participants into an immersive journey through the mix of drama, dance performance and story telling. The Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence's "Riddles from the Coastal Defence" Virtual x Reality Puzzle will take participants onto an unexpected adventure. Curators from the HKHM and the Conservation Office will share lesser-known stories behind the conservation, handover and permanent collection of retired transportation vehicles in "Meet the Curators: Get on board our vintage transport journeys".
      
     Last but not least, members of the public must not miss the Selected Museum Publications and Souvenirs Mega Sale which offers a 50 per cent discount for spotlight books, and a 60 per cent discount for any purchase of two or more exclusive spotlight books.
      
     Apart from the abundant programmes offered by LCSD museums, members of the public will also find a number of recommended programmes by the museum partners in Guangdong, Macao and Hong Kong that they should not miss.
      
     For details of Muse Fest HK 2023, please visit the website www.museums.gov.hk/mf2023.

Ends/Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Issued at HKT 12:50

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