Going Dutch: 5 Highlights From Hong Kong’s Dutch Culture Fest

Do the Dutch really do it better? From now until the end of April, you can find out for yourself by experiencing some of the best The Netherlands has to offer, right here in Hong Kong. Similar to Le French May, which is organised by Hong Kong's French community, Dutch Days in Hong Kong runs from March 31 to April 30, 2018 and showcases the culture of The Netherlands in the form of museum lectures, art exhibitions, music, a film festival and Dutch food. With so much on offer, here are our top five highlights to not miss from the fourth edition of the festival:

1. Award-winning Dutch films

Above Tulipani movie poster (Photo: Courtesy of Embassy of the Netherlands)

Held at The Grand Cinema in Kowloon from April 16-22, this is a rare chance to catch some of the top 2017 releases from the Dutch film industry.

Ranging from controversial (‘Find This Dumb Little Bitch and Throw Her Into A River’) to romantic (Tulipani) and sentimental (‘Younger Days’), three of the five films feature female directors.

See the schedule of films here

2. Intriguing Dutch artists

Above Frank van Driel photography (Photo: 1stdibs.com)

Dutch Days in Hong Kong will showcase the work of several Dutch artists including fine art photographer Frank van Driel, who is known for his dark and moody contemporary still life photography, which he creates completely without the use of Photoshop.

What's more—Lucie Chang Fine Arts will be hosting the first Hong Kong solo exhibition of Dutch artist Merijn Kavelaars, who's known for his colourful creations. At Art Statements in Aberdeen, you can see the latest work of Dutch contemporary photographer Erwin Olaf, “Skin Deep, Berlin, Tamed & Anger and Keyholes”.

See the exhibition line-up here

3. Unique accordion and violin performance

Above Vincent van Amsterdam (Photo: Amsterdam.nl)

This is no street-side performance—world-renowned accordion player Vincent van Amsterdam is joining forces with Hong Kong New Generation Artist prize-winning violinist Annis Ma for a classical concert you won’t soon forget (RSVP here).

Other musicians in town for Dutch Days in Hong Kong include jazz vocalist & songwriter Henk Kraaijeveld who will perform with local group Tjoe Quartet, and award-winning pianist Alexander Ullman.

See more about the musicians here

4. Dine like the Dutch

Above Orange Tree restaurant (Photo: Courtesy of Orange Tree)

Hong Kong Dutch restaurant Orange Tree is offering a special four-course menu for Dutch Days in Hong Kong, while Brasserie on the Eighth is hosting a pop-up dining concept called “Art x Dining on the Eight” from April 20-29.

The pop-up concept features a six-course menu paired with Frank van Driel Fine Art photography, cocktails by Hendrik and Kamiel Buysse from Blend and on April 24 only, a special accordion performance by the aforementioned Vincent van Amsterdam.

See more Dutch dining experiences here

5. A Dutch day out

Above Poffertjes (Photo: Ohmydish.com)

Head out to Oil Street Art Space on April 22 to enjoy some fluffy mini-pancakes (aka. poffertjes) by Orange Tree, paint some clogs and a flower arrangement workshop by Catherine Au of Dutch Flower Arrangements. The afternoon of events will most definitely be one of the festival highlights that is fun for all ages.

RSVP for the workshops here

Dutch Days in Hong Kong is organised and curated by Asia Week Hong Kong in collaboration with the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Find out more at dutchdaysinhongkong.com

Topics

Dutch Days Dutch The Netherlands Holland Festivals