Lee Tung Avenue Wan Chai｜ Presents “Dazzling Christmas” Belgian Lace-inspired Light Installations by Reputable Belgian Festive Light Specialist

Description

Lee Tung Avenue makes it its mission to showcase different art and cultural gems from around the world, especially during major festivals, so that the public can celebrate the cheerful occasions and enjoy world-class art at the same time. This winter, under the theme “Dazzling Christmas”, Lee Tung Avenue is bringing a slice of Belgian art and culture to the community through splendid Christmas light installations created in collaboration with award-winning festive light specialist GLOBALL Concept from Belgium. Drawing inspiration from Belgian lace, a traditional craft, the design team has created a stunning 27-metre-long centrepiece featuring two reindeers above the Central Piazza, and an 8-metre-high Christmas tree on the ground. These are accompanied by light decorations inspired by typical Belgian lace patterns. The iconic 200-metre-long tree-lined pedestrian walkway will meanwhile be adorned with decorations in the shapes of Christmas tree and giant hanging Christmas wreaths, also infused with lace inspiration, to transport visitors to a fairytale-like Christmas town. The light decorations will be displayed from 13 November 2024 to 1 January 2025 and promise a visual feast. On select dates in December, the ever-popular snow show will also make a comeback to enhance the light display and create special moments and memories for the public.

Riding on the collaboration with GLOBALL Concept, Lee Tung Avenue has become a partner of the Belgian Days 2024 and will be organising various activities with the Consulate General of Belgium in Hong Kong to promote Belgian culture. At the third weekend of November (16 and 17 November 2024), Lee Tung Avenue will be hosting the “Love with Smurfs” charity event organised by the Caring For the Children Foundation, where LOVEFY, a new member of The Smurfs, will appear for the first time in public. The event will include art workshops where the participants can design their own Smurfs and experience the joy of creativity. In addition, the public will have the chance to join the creator of LOVEFY in giving a 1.5-metre-tall LOVEFY a new look with stickers designed by the artist. For Sunday evening (17 November 2024), Lee Tung Avenue has also prepared performances to immerse the public in Belgian culture, including a duet by Belgian flutist Marc Grauwels and accordionist Christophe Delporte, and a magic show by Belgian magician Elliot. 

During two weekends in December, Save the Children Hong Kong will organise a “Christmas Charity Pop-up” with booths selling festive exclusives, including Christmas souvenirs, lace creations and handicraft workshops. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Save the Children Hong Kong to support children in need. 

On Christmas day, two key events will take place: first, a meet-and-greet with Sinterklaas – the patron saint of children and possibly the origin of Santa Claus – and his assistant Piet; and second, a masquerade ball. 

Throughout December, the public can also participate in a social media promotion to get a free winter delicacy provided by Lee Tung Avenue’s tenants. Various shops and restaurants will further dial up the festivities with limited-time-only offers.

Lace-inspired light decorations connect Hong Kong and historic Belgian city 27-metre-long light arch and 8-metre-high Christmas tree

“Dazzling Christmas” marks Lee Tung Avenue’s first collaboration with GLOBALL Concept, a renowned Belgian company specialising in large-scale festive lighting and decorations. Since 1996, GLOBALL Concept has created over 100 installations showcased in different parts of the world, including landmarks ranging from Champs Élysées in France to Beverly Hills in the US, Rinascente in Italy and Dubai Mall – the world’s largest mall – in the United Arab Emirates. 

The company’s senior designer, Alain Dierick, oversaw the design and production of “Dazzling Christmas” for Lee Tung Avenue. A graduate of the art school ESA Saint-Luc in Brussels, Dierick has extensive experience in art curation and is also the author of several children’s books that have been published in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Argentina and Korea. With over 20 years of lighting design experience, Dierick is skilled at incorporating local cultural elements in his design and telling stories with his projects. Under his leadership, the company’s creations have not only made an impact at different events worldwide, but have also won various awards, including a bronze award (Innovative in Consumer Events) in the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards and the Excellence in Innovation title in the 7th CGLA Golden Light Awards.

The “Dazzling Christmas” light installations, which will be on display at Lee Tung Avenue from now to 1 January 2025, is GLOBALL Concept’s first outdoor light projects in Hong Kong. It is also part of this year’s Belgian Days and one of the satellite events of BODW CityProg. 

Combining the traditional lace craft of Belgium and modern lighting technology, “Dazzling Christmas” boasts truly one-of-a-kind aesthetic. The 27-metres-long light installation above the Central Piazza will instantly captivate viewers with its scale and design. Two reindeers, unmistakable symbols of Christmas, are surrounded by festive motifs reminiscent of elegant Bruges lace patterns. On the ground, an 8-metre-high “lacey” Christmas tree is decorated with over 1,000 baubles to compete for the viewers’ attention. 

On the tree-lined pedestrian walkway, visitors will find themselves transported to a Christmas town among lace-inspired Christmas tree installations, complemented by giant Christmas wreaths overhead created with a sophisticated laser cutting technology and a unique PVC net material that makes an incredible source of light. Bruges, a UNESCO World Heritage city, is famous for the traditional craft of lace. GLOBALL Concept has specifically incorporated Bruges lace patterns found in the city’s Lace Museum into the colourful Christmas decorations, creating a unique old-meets-new spectacle. 

Belgian Days activities: design your Smurf, performances by Belgian musicians A taste of Belgian delicacies and design at Christmas charity market

 As a partner of the annual Belgian Days, Lee Tung Avenue will be hosting a series of programmes during the coming weekend (16 & 17 November 2024) to promote Belgian culture. The first activity in the line-up will be “Love with Smurfs”, which centres on the well-known Belgian comic The Smurfs. At the event, local artist and animated film director William Kan will showcase his new design for The Smurfs – LOVEFY – which is appearing for the first time in public. In addition, art workshops will be organised to celebrate Belgium’s artistic heritage, inspire creativity and encourage the participants to design their own Smurf. Starting from now, the public can sign up for the workshops directly on the website of Caring For the Children Foundation with a donation. Quotas apply and seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. A few spots will be available in each session for walk-in donors. All proceeds, after deducting production costs, will be donated to the Caring For Children Foundation to support children in need in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, by following designated social media pages, the public can join William Kan to give a 1.5-metre-tall LOVEFY a new look with stickers (no need for pre-registration). The participants will each receive a LOVEFY card. Limited cards are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

 On Sunday 17 November 2024, Duo Habenera from Belgium, formed by flutist Marc Grauwels and accordionist Christophe Delporte, will treat the public to a beautiful music performance. The duo, born from a shared passion for Argentine tango and the music of Astor Piazzolla, is keen at reinterpreting Piazzolla’s music as well as classics like Bach and has offered the audiences of major music festivals in Europe, Africa and Asia eclectic, refined and bold repertoire. That same evening, renowned Belgian magician Elliot, who specialises in corporate events for high-end international brands, will perform a breathtaking magic show.  

Festive delicacies and design at Christmas charity pop-up

During designated weekends in December, Save the Children Hong Kong will be staging the “Christmas 

Charity Pop-up” with multiple booths selling festive exclusives, including Christmas delicacies, souvenirs and lace creations. Christmas-themed art and craft workshops on Christmas tree decoration making, postcard making and drawing will be held. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Save the Children Hong Kong to spread love and hope to children in need during the season of sharing.

Large-scale snow show and special Christmas performances

The much-loved snow shows at Lee Tung Avenue will return this year in December, at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm with over 50 sessions hosted every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as well as on public holidays and New Year's Eve! It will be a particularly romantic experience to view the “Dazzling Christmas” light display under the falling snow, best enjoyed with loved ones and remembered by with a few snapshots. The snow show on Christmas Day will coincide with the Masquerade Ball. Please stay tuned to the Lee Tung Avenue social media platforms for more details.

Masquerade ball and Sinterklaas meet-and-greet

On Christmas day, Lee Tung Avenue will be hosting a masquerade ball to celebrate the joyful festival with the community. All are welcome to dress up and bring their friends, families and partners. Entertaining performances such as a magic show and dances will enrich the party and bring everyone present a jolly good time, alongside a mesmerizing snow display.

 On the same day, Lee Tung Avenue is organising a meet-and-greet with Sinterklaas, accompanied by his cheerful assistant Piet, to introduce the legendary figure to Hong Kong people. Sinterklaas, who may be the origin of Santa Claus, is a figure based on Saint Nicholas, a bishop depicted as an elderly and stately man with white hair and a long full beard, who wore a long red cape over a white bishop’s alb, with a mitre and crozier. The bishop helped poor families especially children and has thus been honoured as the patron saint of children. In various countries including Belgium, Sinterklaas Day is celebrated on the 6th of December, often with a feast and presents for children. Starting 1 December, Lee Tung Avenue members can enjoy exclusive priority access to reserve a spot for an instant photo with Sinterklaas by 100 loyalty points. Alternatively, customers can also take part in this experience by spending HK$200 on the same day at Lee Tung Avenue with an electronic payment method. Only limited spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Don’t miss out on this festive occasion to celebrate the spirit of giving and joy with Sinterklaas!

Upload photos for chance to win winter delicacies

From 1 to 31 December 2024, the public can enter the social media giveaway promotion by becoming a Lee Tung Avenue member if they have not already done so and uploading a photo of themselves taken with the “Dazzling Christmas” light display on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #LeeTungAvenue and #LTAXMAS. Lucky winners will each receive a coupon for redeeming one winter delicacy. The choices include chocolate drinks or soft serve provided by Godiva; designated beverages provided by Silk.; and designated crêpes provided by Crêpe Delicious.

Music and dance performances

A true Christmas should be complete with music and dance. On 14, 15, 21, 22, 24, 25 and 29 December 2024, Christmas carols, dance and other live performances will be provided by over 28 charitable organisations and performing troupes to elevate the festive mood.

Spending rewards including extra loyalty points and cash coupons

From now to 31 December 2024, Lee Tung Avenue is rolling out a series of winter spending rewards to pamper shoppers.