INTER-ISLAND FESTIVAL
Myriem Alnet, Chun-Kit Chan and Kai-Chun Yip are back, bringing the Inter-Island Festival to our shores over four weekends from November 4 to 26. Through the festival, the Peng Chau-based trio aims to celebrate and help preserve the unique character of the outlying islands, specifically Lantau, Cheung Chau and Peng Chau, by introducing festivalgoers to their vibrant art forms and traditions.
“We want islanders (and visitors) to experience and appreciate island life from a different perspective. People jump on the Inter-Island Ferry and make their way between Cheung Chau, Mui Wo, Chi Ma Wan and Peng Chau to take part in the festival. We bring together local performers, experts and artists, with activities going on at the four locations concurrently, and scheduled to match ferry times,” Myriem explains.
The first Inter-Island Festival took place in March 2021 with around 10,000 people attending over three days. The organisers worked with more than 50 collaborators, all islanders. Workshops included tofu-skin making, dried-leaf ink making and foraging. Festivalgoers were given the opportunity to take part in a Taiko performance and a workshop tour of Chi Ma Wan.
“We tell people to expect a whole bunch of activities but not to expect anything big and loud. We are planning activities that will blend with the insular island life and hope festivalgoers will embrace their subtlety with us,” Myriem says. “This year, we are inviting scholars from different universities to collaborate with local artists, designers and musicians. A collective music installation and performance by students at the School of English at HKU promises to be a highlight.” To find out more, email [email protected] or visit interislandfestival.live. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Chun-Kit Chan.]