Un Rendezvous avec Hong Kong - 70 years of excellence – your French language and cultural centre
In 2023, Alliance Française Hong Kong celebrates its 70th anniversary. Since its establishment, Alliance Française Hong Kong has been dedicated to promoting French culture by offering French language courses and organizing a wide range of cultural events. It has become the leading French language institution in Asia with more than 6000 students per year.
On the cultural front, you may already be familiar with some of our cutting-edge cultural events, namely the Hong Kong French Film Festival, Make Music Hong Kong, programmes and presentations at the French May Arts Festival and Francophonie Festival. Let's take a look at our key milestones over the past seven decades and rediscover our achievements!
Becoming a landmark
The 60s, "La Nouvelle Vague"
The Alliance Française de Hong Kong was founded in 1953. Teaching and promoting the French culture are its two main missions. Very dynamic from its earliest days, the Alliance Française quickly became a major landmark of the French presence in Hong Kong. Located on Central building and Preservation Alliance Française Hong Kong reached 3000 students yearly.
Pioneer of Film Festival
The 70s, “L’Âge d’Or, The Golden years
Alliance Française acquired its main buildings in Wan Chai in 1971 and Jordan in 1975, welcoming over 5000 students yearly. As a pioneer in film festivals, Alliance Française de Hong Kong has screened over 1,600 acclaimed French films since 1953. The 50th edition will continue to bring the latest and the best of French Cinema to Hong Kong film lovers.
The Booming years
The 90s, “Le Boom”
In the 1990s, Alliance Française Hong Kong already established itself in Hong Kong and built a strong community. The French and local community continued to grow from the early seventies to nineties and reached its "Booming Years". In 1991, Alliance Francaise Hong Kong became the biggest in the world with 45,000 registrations.
With the growing popularity and interest in French culture, AFHK founded Le French May jointly with the French General Consulate in Hong Kong and Macau in 1993, and curated the first 10 editions of the festival.
A Community of arts and cultural
The 2000s
The very first edition of La Fête de la Musique took place on the trams in 1984. In 2018, La Fête de la Musique has evolved to become a three-day music festival, rebranded as Make Music Hong Kong, and welcomed over 30 local and international bands.
In 2000, AFHK launched Francophonie festival, a joint initiative between French-speaking countries in Hong Kong. It now presents dozens of events every year during the month of March to celebrate Francophonie festival. With its rich and dedicated cultural activities throughout 7 decades, AFHK has built a solid arts and cultural community in Hong Kong.
70th anniversary event
As part of 70th anniversary celebration of the Alliance Française Hong Kong, a special photo exhibition of Luc Roux: Cinematic Pulse: In the heart of Luc Roux’s photographs (Le cinema au coeur) is organized during Hong Kong French Film Festival. The exhibition will take place from November 22 to December 3, 2023 at Soho House in Sheung Wan. This photo exhibition will allow you to discover a selection of 50 photos taken by Luc Roux, set photographer for French movies and co-founder of Studio Magazine. There will also be guided tours with the presence of Luc Roux and co-founder of Studio Magazine Jean-Pierre Lavoignat. More information of the exhibition is available on afhongkong.org and hkfrenchfilmfestival.com.
More info here.
Photo Exhibition:
November 22 to December 3, 2023
Venue: Sheung Wan Studio, G/F, Soho House Hong Kong, 33 Des Voeux Rd W, Sheung Wan
