Conducting an artistic dialogue

Tan Dun hosts Hong Kong music festival to engage younger audiences and offer emerging talent a springboard to the global stage, Chen Nan reports.

Award-winning composer Tan Dun has made a unique mark on the world music scene with creative work that bridges Eastern and Western traditions, as well as pushes the boundaries of classical music.

His latest project, the Tan Dun WE-Festival, which is curated by the musician himself, is taking place at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre until Sunday. It is divided into three main parts and brings together musicians, singers, composers, dancers and ensembles from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and the world.

"The festival aims to engage audiences in artistic dialogues that explore 'old and new', 'East and West' and 'you and me'," says Tan, who is also a UNESCO Global Goodwill Ambassador and Hong Kong's Cultural Promotion Ambassador. He adds that he envisions the festival as a valuable platform for emerging artists to propel their careers onto the global stage.