HONG KONG (SE): The joyful message of Christmas resounded far and wide on December 7 as the Hong Kong Hymnos Festival brought together people of all ages and nationalities for a six-and-a-half-hour carol marathon at New Town Plaza, Shatin. Themed “Universal Happiness”, the event united voices and hearts to spread Christmas cheer without boundaries.
The festival saw 28 diverse performance groups, with participants ranging from as young as three to 80 years old. The marathon showcased the vibrant cultural and spiritual unity of the Christmas season, featuring school and parish choirs, youth bands, and multicultural musical communities.
The atmosphere was one of pure joy and inclusion, drawing a large crowd of passers-by, shopkeepers, and families, many of whom were not Catholic but stayed to enjoy the music.
Laura Ho, a member of the festival’s executive committee, expressed her gratitude to performers, Church leaders, and dignitaries, including diocesan chancellor, Father Lawrence Lee Len, Monsignor Josè Luis Díaz-Mariblanca Sanchez of the Holy See Study Mission, priests, religious sisters, and consulate officials in attendance. Ho shared her hope that the event fulfilled its purpose of evangelisation, saying, “It was a joyful opportunity to share God’s love through music, even to those unfamiliar with the faith.”
Photo: Facebook
The day’s programme featured a variety of musical styles and cultural expressions. Over 40 children from St. Vincent de Paul Nursery School charmed the audience with their lively performance, reflecting the wonder of Christmas through youthful innocence.
Salesian Father Matthew Chan and his fellow Salesians brought a touch of solemnity by singing traditional hymns in Latin, while the Hong Kong Christian Chinese Orchestra delivered a spirited Christmas medley using both Western and Chinese instruments, such as the erhu, pipa, and cello.
Unity in diversity was a key highlight of the event. Filipino, German, African, and Japanese communities each presented carols in their native languages, a heartfelt celebration of cultural richness at Christmas.
Cantare In Gaudium, an Indonesian Catholic choir, offered an inspiring performance of hymns accompanied by the angklung, a traditional bamboo instrument. Their music served as a powerful reminder of the joy and unity that Christmas represents.
Unity in diversity was a key highlight of the event. Filipino, German, African, and Japanese communities each presented carols in their native languages, a heartfelt celebration of cultural richness at Christmas
The carol marathon was part of a broader series of events for the Hong Kong Hymnos Festival. The celebration began on November 24 with an Evensong service at Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Anglican Church, Kowloon. The service, accompanied by a talk from Very Reverend Franklin Lee and a performance by the Festival Choir, underscored the central role of hymns in Christian worship and reflection.
Other highlights included a lecture on Mozart’s Missa Brevis IV on November 30, presented by the Chinese University of Hong Kong Chorus. Under the direction of Leon Chu, the audience explored Mozart’s playful and reverent character in his Missa Brevis compositions.
On December 1, Vox Antiqua hosted an event at St. Anthony’s Church, Pok Fu Lam, spotlighting the Salesian musical legacy in China during the mid-20th century. Performances featured pieces from Christmas celebrations in Shanghai in 1945 and the Coronation of Our Lady in 1947, invoking a sense of nostalgia and reflection.
This year, the Hymnos Festival unveiled a new key visual design: a heart-shaped music note, symbolising “Music for the Soul.” Legionary of Christ Father Joseph Tham, who incorporated traditional Chinese calligraphy into the design with the phrase “樂活心靈” [music nourishes the soul], explained that circular patterns resembling music notes were added to evoke joy and spiritual growth.
The Christmas carol marathon successfully brought together people from all walks of life, reminding everyone of the universal joy and peace that the birth of Christ brings. For those who missed the live event, a video recording will soon be made available on social media platforms, ensuring that the spirit of “Universal Happiness” continues to inspire people far and wide.
