Windy Shao windysjf@hotmail.com THE vibrant fusion of Shenzhen and Hong Kong culture took center stage at the second Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Culture Festival at Mission Hills Shenzhen in Longhua District last weekend. The three-day event, a testament to cross-border integration, concluded Monday and immersed attendees in a spectacular display of Hong Kong-inspired vibes. The festival featured a bustling Hong Kong-style market where musicians from both regions came together, serenading the crowd and portraying the essence of Hong Kong’s vibrant cultural blend. Mission Hills Group has partnered with various organizations and universities from Hong Kong to launch initiatives in recent years such as internships, study trips, and exchange programs for nurturing talent and promoting integration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). This summer, 25 students from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Education University of Hong Kong, and the Community College of the University of Hong Kong participated in sales internships at Mission Hills Group in Longhua. Moreover, 300 youths from the City University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, and other youth organizations in Hong Kong and Macao visited Longhua for short-term study trips. Those youth became the main participants of the culture festival, which also welcomed innovative Hong Kong-style market vendors showcasing a myriad of products, from traditional handicrafts to trendy jewelry, all steeped in the nostalgic hues of 20th-century Hong Kong. The festival’s ambiance was further elevated by performances from acclaimed artists like Shenzhen’s Together LIVE band and Hong Kong artists Russell Cheung and Keith Mok. Attendees found themselves captivated by classic Hong Kong melodies, with moments of shared nostalgia enhancing the cultural exchange experience. Lai Hiu Lam of the Chinese University of Hong Kong presented a traditional pipa music piece, “Ambush on All Sides,” to the audience. “It was my honor to present this traditional folk music performance during the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland,” Lai said. “I am honored to attend the event, which enabled more Hong Kong youth to integrate into the development of the GBA.” “Walking on the streets of the culture market, I feel as if I am back in Hong Kong as I can see Hong Kong elements everywhere,” said Yu Ka Wai from the Education University of Hong Kong. In recent years, Mission Hills Group has organized a series of culture activities for GBA youth, including a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, a pet-themed carnival, and a World Skateboarding Day competition, attracting a large number of young people from the area. Embracing themes of international cooperation and youth engagement, Mission Hills Group said they were planning more events in the future to bring trendier lifestyle experiences to citizens. | 