Around The World With Creative Secondary School’s Winter Arts Showcase 2024

Creative Secondary School’s Winter Arts Showcase 2024 took us around the world in one spectacular evening.

Hong Kong is known for its multiculturalism, but it’s not often that you get to see different peoples and traditions come together, at the same time and place, in one spectacular showcase. Filling that gap is Creative Secondary School (CSS)‘s annual Winter Arts Showcase, which returned last month on 19 December, 2024, in a dazzling event that had families buzzing with excitement. Aptly titled “Kaleidoscope: A Celebration of Cultural Diversity Through the Arts”, the show was more than a standard talent performance or schoolyard fair — it was an all-out cultural extravaganza that transported the audience around the globe, all from the comfort of a residential enclave in Tseung Kwan O!

Filling Hearts And Bellies

Let’s talk about the International Food Fair. If you thought attendees were nibbling on boring sandwiches, think again! From spicy samosas to sweet churros, the culinary delights were enough to make anyone’s taste buds do a happy dance. Families and friends mingled, munching on delightful global snacks while basking in the warm glow of cultural celebration. Who knew school could be that tasty?

The dishes felt especially made with love as they raised funds for the Watoto Choir from Uganda — orphaned children with incredible talent and the special guests for the evening. The meals were served up by the Parent-Teacher Association, who offered a variety of delicious local cuisines, and they served as a heartwarming reminder that community spirit thrives, showing how coming together can be both joyous and deeply meaningful.

A Cultural Symphony Takes Centre Stage

As the clock struck showtime, over 100 students took to the stage and transformed it into a vibrant tapestry of cultural performances. From the rhythmic beats of African drumming to the graceful elegance of the CPS Chinese Dance, students wowed the audience with original and authentic traditions. The CSS Orchestra serenaded the crowd with harmonious melodies, while the Bollywood Dance absolutely lit up the stage with its infectious energy. And let’s not forget the soulful Filipino folk song, which left most listeners nearing tears! Then there was the Watoto Choir. Full of spirit and talent, the choir shared their uplifting stories through song and dance — in one instance, the diverse audience jumped and clapped in unison, bringing the whole room together.

Art That Speaks Volumes

Beyond incredible meals and musical performances, there was also a stunning art exhibit with works made by students from Creative Secondary School, Creative Primary School (CPS) and Creative Primary School’s Kindergarten (CPSKG). Using a wide variety of methods and materials, the children crafted artworks that blended Chinese and Western techniques in a heartwarming display of creativity and solidarity.

A Night to Remember

As the curtains closed on this spectacular showcase, it was clear that CSS’s annual Winter Arts Showcase offers a level of diversity and inclusion that no other school in Hong Kong does, all while making the concepts fun and educational. With CSS nearing its 20th anniversary and CPS and CPSKG approaching their 40th, one thing is for certain: we’re marking our calendars for next year’s celebratory showcase!

Creative Secondary School, 3 Pung Loi Road, Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, 2336 0233, Facebook: www.facebook.com/CreativeSecondarySchool, www.css.edu.hk