ICC Magazine Issue 11

ISSUE NO.11

italiancham MAGAZINE

Across the Greater Bay Area The hub for new opportunities BUSINESS FOCUS

COVER STORY

HIGHLIGHTS

Invest in the GBA

Hong Kong’s Start Up Ecosystem

Meet the New Italian Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee

Contents President’s Memo

3

Business Focus

6

Art, Culture, and More

10

Cover Story

12

Imperfect Cuisine

22

Italian Chats

24

Members Spotlight

26

Highlights

30

What’s On Hong Kong

32

Our Services

36

Publisher The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macao 19/F, 168 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong Tel +852 2521 8837 email icc@icc.org.hk www.icc.org.hk Designer Michela Compagnoni Official Magazine Distribuitor

Editorial Team Maria Teresa Brusco Silvia N’Guessan Federico Patelli

Chamber’s Patrons

Landor Associates Via Tortona 37 Milan I-20144 Italy Tel. +39 02 764517.1

Generali Generali - Vangelo - Pantone c Company - Cliente Generali Artwork - Esecutivo GV_PANTC_POS.ai Implementation - Esecutivista CDL Recommended colours - Colori raccomandati Pantone Goe 23 - 5 - 2 C

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2

LUCA CICO President of The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macao

President’s memo Dear Members and Friends, The 11th issue of The ItalianCham Magazine is dedicated to the Greater Bay Area (GBA) initiative, with a general introduction and its numerous and relevant opportunities in several areas offered to companies based in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong SAR government, as the acknowledgement both of the relevance of the initiative and of the leading role our city plays, has defined and implemented several supporting initiatives, including – but not limited to – financial support for start-ups in several sectors, young talent attraction, R&D initiatives.

Coupled with the above and to the dramatic transformation in several categories caused by the pandemic, it has been noticed an increase in the number of companies evaluating the GBA opportunities and, in several cases, starting the implementation phase of their plans.

It is also important to highlight the flourishing start-ups business environment in Hong Kong and hear about the future development and planning of GBA in 2021 by sharing the point of view about entrepreneurship, youth innovation and technology.

Experienced experts and fresh entrepreneurs will inspire and help our readers, especially when discussing challenges and opportunities for start-ups.

We hope the testimonies from the experienced experts in different fields on entrepreneurship, youth innovation and technology will provide you with a clear picture of the opportunities and the challenges of the GBA initiative, inspiring and making you more confident in taking the next development step into this formidable new “bay area”.

Confident the Year of the Ox will bring us back soon to a (new) normal life and thriving business environment, Your faithfully

3

BUS I N ESS FOC U S

Young entrepreneurship & employment scheme in the GBA

By David Wong, Head of Greater Bay Area Business Development

T

he Hong Kong Government has all along been supportive of

Young Entrepreneurship

youth innovation and entrepreneurship and we hope our young

There has been rapid development of youth entrepreneurial bases in the

people could aim high and explore opportunities beyond Hong

GBA in recent years, providing massive hardware and software support to

Kong. The development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay

innovative and entrepreneurial activities. Besides enjoying the concessionary

Area (GBA) will bring about opportunities for our young entrepreneurs.

policy initiatives introduced by various municipal governments in the GBA, Hong Kong young people who have successfully established a foothold

Youth Employment Scheme

can also benefit from the incubation and guidance services offered by the

The youth employment scheme is one of the measures announced by the

entrepreneurial bases in which they have established.

Chief Executive in the 2020 Policy Address. It aims to encourage and

These help reduce entrepreneurial risks. In view of this, the Hong Kong

support young people to work and pursue their careers in the Mainland

Government provides subsidy to NGOs in Hong Kong, so that the

cities of the GBA, help them understand the latest developments of both

NGOs may play the role of a guide and provide entrepreneurial support

Hong Kong and those cities and leverage the opportunities for career

and incubation services to Hong Kong young people who intend to start

advancement in the GBA. Under the scheme, enterprises with operations

their business in the GBA, including helping them settle in relevant

in Hong Kong and GBA Mainland cities are welcome to join the scheme

entrepreneurial bases. A list of these bases in the GBA can be found at:

to offer job vacancies. Participating enterprises shall employ the eligible

https://www.bayarea.gov.hk/filemanager/en/share/pdf/Entrepreneurship_

graduates locally under Hong Kong laws, and shall station the graduates in

bases_contact_infomation.pdf.

GBA Mainland cities to work and receive on-the-job training. The scheme provides 2 000 places, around 700 of which are designated for innovation and technology (I&T) posts.

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government responsible for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), supporting overseas and Mainland businesses to set up and expand in Hong Kong. We provide free advice and customised services to help your business succeed in our vibrant economy.

Our goal is to help businesses prosper and grow in Hong Kong. We partner with clients on a long-term basis and are available at any stage of their business development process. All our services are free and customised to clients’ needs, including information on business incorporation procedures, tax and business regulations, cost of business models, trade mark registration, IP and trade regulations, employment legislation, immigration requirements and information tailored to the individual company. Advice on housing, schooling, healthcare and business networking is also offered.

The Hong Kong Government will grant a monthly allowance of HK$10,000 to enterprises for each graduate employed for up to 18 months. To join the scheme, eligible graduates should be Hong Kong residents lawfully employable in Hong Kong and hold bachelor’s degrees or above awarded

InvestHK has an overseas network with representatives based in 32 cities worldwide and our highly professional teams provide seamless advice in the following Hong Kong priority sectors: Business & Professional Services; Consumer Products; Creative Industries; Financial Services; Financial Technology; Innovation & Technology; Startups & Entrepreneurs; Tourism & Hospitality and Transport & Industrial.

locally or by institutions outside Hong Kong from 2019 to 2021. Under the scheme, the graduates employed will receive a monthly salary of no less than HK$18,000. For I&T posts, eligible graduates, besides meeting the above-mentioned criteria, should possess degrees related to science, technology, engineering or mathematics subjects. They should work in both Hong Kong and GBA Mainland cities, with each location taking up

(852) 3107 1000 | enq@investhk.gov.hk | www.investhk.gov.hk

six to 12 months. For more details, please visit the scheme’s website: https://www1.jobs.gov.hk/0/en/ 6

B USI N ESS FOCU S

Eu-china agreement on investments promotes new business trends

By Lorenzo Riccardi, Managing Partner of RsA Asia

C

hina promotes business relations with European Union with the

for the exchange of financial data with Lichtenstein and San Marino and

new agreement on investment finalized

conventions for social security contributions with Denmark, Finland,

at the end of 2020. The Comprehensive Agreement on Investments

Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland.

(CAI) will cover a geographical area that includes 30% of global GDP and contains 24% of global population.

Europe-China investment and trade China’s investments into the EU are primarily in the sectors of automotive,

Benefits for European companies

consumer products, finance, and healthcare, whereas European investments

The CAI will grant the EU enhanced access into the Chinese market through

into China are in the chemical, automotive, agricultural,

the reduction of barriers to investment for EU companies. This is achieved

energy and financial sectors. According to data issued by the PRC General

by amending the requirements for joint ventures and other restrictions,

Administration of Customs, between January and November 2020 the EU

and by providing now access into certain strategic sectors of the economy.

traded a total of $581 billion with China.

The CAI enhances protection for EU investors which are competing with

The member countries with the largest trade share of the EU-China trade

Chinese state-owned companies, through the inclusion of new rules against

are Germany (USD 171 billion), the Netherlands (USD 82 billion), France

forced transfer of intellectual property and greater transparency into

(USD 59 billion) and Italy (USD 59 billion).

availability of subsidies. China has given commitments to implementing the International Labour Organization Conventions previously ratified and

The role and benefits for Italy

to implementing the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Of the major European nations, Italy is considered to have the closest relations with China. Italy was a signatory to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in March 2019 becoming the first of the G7 nations to join the project. Italy has signed a new tax treaty with China, which may be ratified in 2021. This Double Taxation Treaty offers the most attractive rates in the EU for tax rates on income from investment and trade.

Other agreements

RsA asia is a leading tax and corporate advisory firm assisting companies, multinational groups and institutions in East Asia.

The CAI signifies a strong Asia strategy from Europe which has been strengthening relationships throughout the continent by signing multiple

Our organization has made of service quality its distinctive feature through the experience and high professionalism of its advisors who, by combining their skills and expertise, provide a wide range of tax, corporate and consulting services, both nationally and internationally.

free trade agreements such as those signed with Vietnam (2020), Singapore (2019), South Korea (2015) and the ongoing negotiations with India and the ASEAN bloc. Similarly, Beijing is following a comparable economic

The firm brings a new approach to professional services; we like to do things differently and we believe strongly in the value of results.

strategy as signified by the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and through the proposal to enter the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Beijing

With offices in Milan, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing and Ho Chi Minh, and a network of correspondents in Asia, the firm is strongly specialized in the Chinese market, but also in the emerging markets of the Far East region.

is increasingly establishing itself as a global leader committed to increased trade and has sought to increase cooperation with Central and Eastern European countries (17+1 bloc). These new developments follow the previously established free trade agreements with Switzerland and Iceland,

www.rsa-tax.com

the network of tax agreements with 38 countries in Europe, the agreements 7

BUS I N ESS FOC U S

A testimonial of the potential synergies in the GBA for a company working in the heavy machinery business

By Luca Morlotti , Managing Director, FICEP FICEP S.p.A. is an Italian multinational company leader in the production

further future integration, with possibility to cross the border with faster

of CNC Machines for steel fabrication and forging industry.

procedures, will enable us to implement more integrated strategies, with a

To make this official definition more understandable to an audience not

better use of the various skills of our technicians.

familiar with these technical terms, we can say that our machines are

Furthermore the GBA is attracting a number of OEM manufacturers,

used to process heavy steel beams and plates for the production of big infrastructures such as bridges, skyscrapers, malls, stadiums etc….

especially in the fields of electronics and automation. This has a very

In 2003 FICEP decided to consolidate its presence in Far East with the set

CNC machines relies on a large amount of electronic parts, that require

up of the Subsidiary Company FICEP Hong Kong.

prompt service and availability.

After the first few years that saw a steady growth of the market, it soon

On a larger scale, as Chairman of the Industrial Committee of the ICC

important impact in our supply chain of spare parts, as the “brain” of our

of Hong Kong and Macau, I could witness a large interest from all our

became clear that China needed a particular attention and a dedicated

members in some projects related to the GBA and funded by the Hong

structure. Confident in the strong demand of the Chinese market in

Kong Government. In particular some Companies already applied with

2008 we opened our Representative Office in Guangzhou and in 2014 we

successful outcome to subsidies such as the BUD (Branding Upgrading and

expanded it into a Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise.

Domestic Sale) fund.

At that time the project of the GBA was not yet conceived, as it was first

Unfortunately COVID-19 hit particularly hard the mobility of people

mentioned in the China’s 13th Five-Year Plan in December 2016. However

and put in a “suspended state” many of the activities related to the GBA

it was already evident that the southern part of the Guangdong Province

and Hong Kong in particular. However there is no doubt that in the long

was destined to become one of the largest industrial concentrations in the

term the Greater Bay Area will become the largest urban – industrial

world.

conglomerate in the world.

FICEP Hong Kong Ltd, set up in September 2003, is the subsidiary of FICEP SpA, multinational Italian Company, leader in the manufacturing of CNC Machines and Equipment for the Steel Fabrication and Forging industry.

FICEP SpA is based in Italy, near Milan. It was founded in 1930 and it grew steadily from a small family owned workshop into the present multinational organization. In the year 2015 the total turnover of the group was in the range of 180 million Euro.

Apart from the Mother company in Italy, the group is structured with many overseas companies to provide sales and after-sales service worldwide.

The big scheme of the GBA Project is now bringing up a lot of new possible facilities and synergies among the cities involved and mostly also across the

FICEP Hong Kong, as subsidiary of FICEP SpA, is in charge of providing Sales and aftersales service to the customers in the Far East region through its own structure plus the coordination of a network of agents.

border between Hong Kong and Mainland China.

In particular for FICEP, the main activity of our two companies (FICEP Hong Kong and FICEP Guangzhou) is the provision of technical service and spare parts to our customers in the Far East.

In 2014 FICEP Hong Kong set up a Subsidiary WFOE Company in Guangzhou China (Guangzhou FICEP Machinery Co. Ltd.) to support directly the growing presence in the Chinese market.

The connection between the two cities already dramatically improved with

www.ficep.com.hk

the introduction of the Guangzhou – Hong Kong Express Rail Link but a 8

430 lawyers 11 offices worldwide 20 specialist prac�ce areas

7 desks dedicated to specific geographical regions

in Asia HONG KONG

SHANGHAI

Suite 3401 34/F One Taikoo Place 979 King’s Road Quarry Bay

Unit 101-361, 1st Floor, Building 5 Lane 128, Linhong Road Changning District Shanghai, 200131 P.R.C.

+852 21563490

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Associate office

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gop.it

ART, CULT U R E A N D M OR E

Milan Hong Kong Design NEW FORMS AND FUNCTIONS IN PARALLEL WITH ITALIAN ICONIC WORKS The Italian Cultural Institute (ICI) is delighted to present Milan-Hong

Milan-Hong Kong Design Exhibition 2020-2021 is a year-long project

Kong Design Exhibition, featuring the results of a meticulous research

that brought together young designers from three Hong Kong universities

project by leading young Italian designers and students from three Hong

and three emerging Italian design talents, Federica Biasi, Federico Peri

Kong universities: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong

and Sara Ricciardi.

Design Institute, and Hong Kong Baptist University. Initiated by ICI in

The project, conceived and strongly supported by Stefano Fossati,

collaboration with 5Vie Network / Associazione NMG and curated by

Director of the Italian Cultural Institute of Hong Kong, aims to activate

Mr.Lawrence Studio, the exhibition runs from 26th March to 4th April,

a bridge of mutual exchange between Europe and Asia in the name of

2021 at the Pao Galleries at the Hong Kong Arts Centre.

design.

Slippery by Hong Kong Design Institute (2020)

Fontanella by F. Peri (2020)

Easychair by F. Biasi (2020)

10

ART, C ULTUR E AN D MORE Carlton by E. Sottsass (1981)

Exhibition details: Date & Time: 26th March 2021 (2-8pm) | 27th March - 4th April 2021 (10am-8pm) Venue: 4&5/F, Pao Galleries, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai www.designmadeinhongkong.com www.iichongkong.esteri.it

Through a series of webinar

during the “design week” in

programmes

September

and

other

2021,

the

most

initiatives, an in-depth dialogue

famous and well-known design

was created between the students

event in the world.

and designers. In doing so, the project has developed new joint

The exhibition also features a

frontiers for the new generation

retrospective of the great Italian

from Hong Kong to Milan - one

masters of design from the 1970s

that highlights the urgency of

to the 1990s, as a conversation

taking collective action against

between

the new emergencies of our

recurringly

time by designing objects with

the project. Special thanks go

lasting impact. The exhibition

to William Figliola, founder

features the fruits of this joint

of Novalis Contemporary Art

exploration, including designs

Design Gallery, Hong Kong for

from the Italian designers, and

lending landmark historic pieces

prototypes and design concepts

of Memphis Design.

past

and

referenced

present, during

from the students.

Milan-Hong

Kong

Design

Exhibition will be presented

Curvi by S. Ricciardi (2018)

in Milan, in the SIAM spaces,

Follow us on your favourite social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter – or subscribe to our YouTube channel to see some of our live events that you might have missed. facebook.com/iichongkong | instagram.com/italianculturalinstitute.hk twitter.com/IICHongKong | youtube.com/iichongkong

To learn more about upcoming Italian events you may contact: Italian Cultural Institute, c/o Consulate General of Italy Hong Kong Suite 3201, 32/F Central Plaza 18, Harbour Road, Wanchai - Hong Kong www.iichongkong.esteri.it | iichongkong@esteri.it

11

Across the Greater Bay Area

The hub for new opportunities

12

“

In the recent years, the re-innovation of the Pearl River Delta and the introduction of the single economic entity embodied in the GBA initiative has contributed to the modernization of the Chinese economy and to enhancement of its competitive position in the world”

Currently housing about 70 million people, producing about 37% of the Chinese imports and 12% of the country’s GDP, the GBA should become –according to the plans of the government– by 2035 a technology district comparable to the American Silicon Valley.

In the recent years, the re-innovation of the Pearl River Delta (e.g., the area including Hong Kong, Macao, and the nine cities of the Guangdong province) and the introduction of the single economic entity embodied in the GBA initiative has contributed to the modernization of the Chinese economy and to enhancement of its competitive position in the world.

Furthermore, the implementation of the considered project has transformed the GuangdongHong Kong-Macao Region into a technology and innovation hub, capable of catalyzing and interconnecting the numerous profitable occasions for businesses, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders, be them local or international.

Still, despite its wide-ranging mixture of opportunities, the GBA is inevitably forced to face a series of challenges and problems – from the regional administrative barriers within the region to the backwardness of the technologies in the field of chips and semiconductors.

How will the GBA furtherly develop into an international economic hub for finance, trade, and technology? Will the different centers which compose the Region evolve through a coordinated pace? What new opportunities will the GBA represent for international economic relations and, in particular, for Italy? How will the Area overcome the problems implicit in such an ambitious program?

To answer these and other questions about the GBA and the role of Hong Kong in said project, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macao is pleased to present the 11th volume of the ItalianCham Magazine.

Mainly focused on the economic future of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Region, the latest issue of the magazine covers the most recent themes related to the GBA and the Hong Kong market, with a specific emphasis on the Start-up Ecosystem which has been recently proliferating in the aforesaid city.

13

Shipping Made it Easy

E

asyship is a leading shipping platform for eCommerce and crowdfunding. Merchants have access to over 250 shipping solutions with leading couriers like USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL or they have the option to link to their own courier accounts. With dynamic rates and transparent tax and duty charges at checkout, merchants can increase their conversions and grow their business, while managing their entire shipping workflow

from one easy dashboard. For growing merchants, Easyship offers a partner warehouse network across the globe that can help them save time and money with shipping and fulfillment. With Easyship, merchants can save them up to 70% on shipping and expand their businesses internationally all from one platform.

With a plethora of shipping solutions, choosing the best shipping company for small business is challenging. To get the most from your business, here 5 things small businesses should consider before shipping their products.

14

co v er story

“We help to scale operations to provide customers with a holistic experience”

By Jules, Easyship

Order Volume The number of orders monthly sent out plays a significant role in finding the best solution.

Your business could benefit from small business shipping services solutions, such as packaging and delivery discounts from couriers and third-party order fulfillment providers. Moreover, working with a partner like Easyship can help scale eCommerce order fulfillment seamlessly.

Packaging Choosing the packaging provides an opportunity to protect your goods, while advertising your brand. Evaluate the level of protection needed by your products and consider the cost of packaging materials: couriers may offer flat rates depending on the typology of material used.

Package Dimensions and Weight Since heavier packages cost more to ship, the package dimension significantly determines the shipping cost and its impact on the budget.

Insurance

Consider the dimensional weight (DIM) of the goods, indicating the

The stance on insurance should be explicit in the shipping policy, which

package dimensions: since large boxes have large DIM and lead to high

should indicate costs and amounts covered and address what might

costs, go for small boxes if possible.

happen if items are lost or damaged.

Conventionally, couriers cover all shipments worth up to $100, while insurances for goods worth more than $100 must be purchased separately.

Delivery Times Let customers know how long it will take for products to be shipped.

Don’t leave them in the dark!

When providing estimated delivery dates, add extra days on for wiggle room: the best experience is when packages arrive on time – even better is when it’s early.

Destination International shipping impacts the timing of delivery: since customers expect quick and affordable deliveries, it is essential to provide the correct balance of cost and time.

Tracking Transparency

is

paramount

to

building

long-lasting

Reduce costs while increasing the delivery speed by decreasing the

customer

shipping regions.

relationships. Therefore, every business should share a clear shipping policy and feature tracking protocols.

Communicate with customers by sending frequent update emails which lead to a tracking page.

15

GOGOX: Hong Kong’s first unicorn startup

F

ounded in 2013, GOGOX is the first app-based logistics platform in Asia committed to providing extensive logistics services through innovative technology. Formerly known as GOGOVAN, the company has a competitive and diverse business portfolio, from van-hailing and instant delivery to customised logistics solutions. GOGOX instantly connects individuals and businesses with millions of logistics partners to fulfil all sorts of

delivery needs, redefining the delivery experience by providing speedy, agile and convenient logistics services that are unmatched. Over the years, GOGOX has expanded its businesses from Hong Kong to Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, India, Vietnam and Mainland China, with presence in over 300 cities and more than 8 million registered drivers under its network.

We spoke with Reeve Kwan, the co-founder of GOGOX to share with us his start-up journey and the start-ups environment in Hong Kong.

16

co v er story

“Keep trying everything you want to do as we always have to try in error.

Many people were saying that my ideas would not work when I was still mapping my journey. Always trust yourself until you truly succeed.”

Interview with Reeve Kwan, co-founder of GOGOX

It was the global financial crisis when Reeve and other co-founders

region has different policies, they need to measure risks and do field trips

graduated from University of California. It apparently was not the perfect

before renewing the app in new countries.

condition of the job market. And that was the time they decided to return to Hong Kong and started their own business.

When GOGOX was launched in Taiwan and South Korea, they created a simpler and convenient way for local people to use their logistics platform.

The idea of GOGOX began with the project about lunchbox deliveries.

“The majority of delivery services in Asia regions are using motorcycles

The co-founders managed the business through call-centres until one

but not vans and around 80% - 90% of the motorcycle has been used for

morning they had thousands of orders to fulfill amongst themselves. This

the delivery services,” said Reeve.

significant event inspired them to think of an effective way to solve the pain point of the fragmented and inefficient call-centre business model.

Could you introduce other businesses under GOGOX group?

They created a platform that instantly connects van drivers and users:

To create an extraordinary logistics experience for the industry, GOGOX

that’s how they invented GOGOX.

has introduced other services to the group: GOGOBusiness and GOGODelivery.

Were there any difficulties when you started your first business?

• GOGOBusiness: to resolve logistics concerns for SMEs and enterprises

“Scaling up the company is often the most challenging thing for a start-

by customized solutions

up, as you are often driven by the willingness of doing more and more

• GOGODelivery: to provide an instant and same-day door-to-door

especially when you have new ideas, but the reality is that there are only

delivery service for smaller items by courier

limited resources”, said Reeve. For instance, initially we always need to think about how to find more resources and how to define the priority

What would you suggest to the young entrepreneurs?

of the things we need to do first for the start-up. In particular, the most challenging thing is that when we try to catch the opportunity, most of

Reeve says: “Keep trying everything you want to do as we always have

the time we can only do a few things.

to try in error. Many people were saying that my ideas would not work when I was still mapping my journey. Always trust yourself until you

Moreover, Reeve also mentioned the difficulty in managing people: “It

truly succeed.”

might be easier to communicate and work with team members within the size of 30 people. But when the business grows rapidly and the environment is changing quickly, the communication flow becomes complicated.”

How do you develop and expand GOGOX business to different markets?

The difficulty of expanding the business in other countries is about adopting the local policies as every country and region has its own specific business law and culture. When GOGOX started its first oversea business in Singapore, they learned that the business model they used in Hong Kong did not work there.

This made them aware of the fact that they could not just copy and paste the same method in other countries. Therefore, as every country and

17

Save Food, Save the Planet, Save your Wallet

H

ave you ever thought of what we could do to alleviate the problem of food waste in Hong Kong?

Given the significant magnitude that this phenomenon has acquired in the region, we met Phenix, an anti-food waste App based in Hong Kong and talked with one of its Co Founder Diego Dultzin Lacoste, Co-founder & CFO at OnTheList, and discussed with him the launch of this innovative start-up.

18

co v er story

“Maybe it will be hard for us to build a world without waste, but we could try to develop a greener environment by changing our living habits”

By Anne-Claire Beraud, Business Development Manager, Phenix by OnTheList

Every day, the city of Hong Kong sends up to 3,600 tonnes of food waste

Launched in February, Phenix by OnTheList has already garnered the

to landfills, with one third of the world’s food being wasted. If this can

support of several partners, including The Cakery, CaliMex, Pirata

be rescued and turned into opportunities, it would not only be beneficial

Group, Bain Marie, Oolaa, and even City Super will join at the end of the

to the environment, but also to food retailers, customers and the society

month and Park N Shop is interested in the concept. The partners range

as a whole. Such a win-win-win situation is the fundamental concept of

from restaurants providing Italian and French cuisines, to bakeries and

Phenix by OnTheList.

food distributors.

Born in Hong Kong, Phenix is an anti-food waste App

intended

The project is a joint venture between Phenix and OnTheList that since

to help merchants turn their surplus food into new opportunities.

2015, has saved more than 2M items by helping brands sell their past

The App provides customers easy access to perfectly good food which

season items using a members-only flash sales concept. On the other

would otherwise be discarded: picked-up from restaurants, bakeries,

hand, Phenix is an environmental social enterprise based in France with

supermarkets, and cake-shops, the products are offered at a discounted

footprints in 5 countries in Europe, saving 120,000 meals per day.

price.

With both companies being experienced in turning waste into new Products which might lose their commercial values but remain good

possibilities, the combination of Phenix’s anti-food waste technology and

are available for sale on the App, meaning that partners have the chance

OnTheList’s qualified member base of 371,000 consumers has created

to generate additional profits from the originally lost costs while the

a strong collaboration, which has an important role in advocating

customers can enjoy delicious discount offers (from 50 to 80% off) on

sustainability in Hong Kong and contributing to the achievement of the

food items.

objective of zero food waste.

Maybe it will be hard for us to build a world without waste, but we could try to develop a greener environment by changing our living habits and significantly decrease waste. This App, for its part, is putting a remarkable step in raising people’s awareness of the importance of green habits and in promoting the less-wasted lifestyle in Hong Kong.

As previously said, Phenix provides numerous user-friendly functions to the user, which could purchase unsold products with a lower price and, thus, could help the offline shops to not produce any food waste. Know more about the Phenix App and furtherly understand how they are trying to reach the mission : creating a world without waste!

After talking with Diego Dultzin Lacoste, here is the advice we would offer to all the entrepreneurs – Should not wait to make your project perfect: test it, listen to your stakeholders, and improve on a daily basis!

19

Health, indulgence and consumption sophistication shaping new-style tea drinks in the GBA

20

co v er story

“While most Guangdong cities within GBA, such as Shenzhen, align with the rest of mainland China in bubble tea consumption, Hong Kong as ‘Gourmet Paradise’ exhibits a different pattern, as it embraces the diversity of trends, where international players have a strong presence”

By Peter Wong, Senior Analyst, Euromonitor International

In recent years, a new-style drink brewed from high-quality tea leaves

Consequently, consumers are often very sophisticated and discerning

mixed with ingredients and toppings, such as fruit and whipped cheese

about the food and drinks they consume.

is popular among people. According to Euromonitor International, share held by chained coffee and tea shops, as a percentage to total cafes and

There are numerous brands focusing on a wide variety of bubble tea.

bars in Asia Pacific, grew from 13% in 2015 to 24% in 2020 and is

Taiwanese brands like Gong Cha and Sharetea, specialize in traditional

expected to stay at 23% by 2025.

bubble tea like boba milk tea. Fruit tea brands like Yifang Taiwan also started gaining traction among people. Besides, local companies are

Mainland China: Premiumisation for health and consumption

also emerging, for instance, Cha Long (‘Tea Wolves’ in Cantonese)

sophistication

has expanded rapidly in 2018. Not only has Cha Long placed a strong

In mainland China, new-style tea drinks are driven by the pursuit of

emphasis on its high-quality drinks, but also on its in-store environment,

health and a more sophisticated taste. There were many street shops selling

which launched its first ‘Cha Lounge’ offering a spacious ambiance with

traditional bubble tea, and consumers were happy with these offerings as

wolf-themed decoration.

it was a novelty. Overall, demand for bubble tea was rising, and shops, such as CoCo and Mixuebingcheng, tended to focus on medium- and

Entrance of HeyTea and Nayuki to Hong Kong with their signature

low-income consumers.

drinks further diversified bubble tea offerings, consumers are able to choose specific drinks they want based on their usage occasions.

Since the taste and demand among Chinese consumers are elevated, HeyTea and Nayuki have energized demand via a complex taste but also

Looking forward

an element of health and wellness. Likewise, their Starbucks-like stores

Undoubtedly, new-style tea drinks have the rising trends in Asia Pacific.

present a comfortable place for customers that they are still willing to

According to Euromonitor International, chained coffee and tea shops

pay a premium for. This makes the bubble tea consumption toward

are amongst the best performers in all chained cafes and bars, with a

greater sophistication and trading up from street stalls to salubrious cafés.

10% compound annual growth rate predicted between 2020-2025. It will

According to Euromonitor International , the compound annual growth

be vital for players to precisely understand the dynamic between health,

rate of sales for HeyTea and Nayuki in China were 48% and 150%,

indulgence and consumption sophistication in each market in order to

respectively from 2016-2020.

win in the bubble tea industry.

Hong Kong: Mixed influences with diverse needs While most Guangdong cities within GBA, such as Shenzhen, align with the rest of mainland China in bubble tea consumption, Hong Kong as ‘Gourmet Paradise’ exhibits a different pattern, as it embraces the diversity of trends, where international players have a strong presence.

21

imp erfect c u i s i n e

By Accademia Italiana della Cucina

All the carnival sweets you can think of!

All over Italy, Carnival is a festive time, a mouthwatering opportunity to

or covered with melted chocolate. The traditional version, however, is

grace the numerous regional tables that compose the gastronomic jigsaw

sprinkled with powdered sugar.

puzzle of the “Bel Paese” with traditional sweets, often of peasant origin.

The names may be different, but the philosophy is the same. They are

The typical Carnival sweets of Tuscany are called cenci, donzelline or

called chiacchiere in Basilicata, bugie in Liguria and Piedmont, cenci,

nastrini di monache (nuns’ ribbons), which highlights their monastic

crogetti and berlingozzi in Tuscany, meraviglias in Sicily and Calabria,

origins. They are made with flour, sugar, and yeast, and their flavor is

struffoli in Campania, cicerchiata in Abruzzo, Marche, Umbria and

enhanced with the local Vinsanto. The rolled dough is cut with a fluted

Molise, frappe, sfrappole, intrigoni, lattughe, fiocchetti, nodi, sprelle, and

rotary blade and fried in extra virgin olive oil. Sometimes they are

lavagnette in Emilia-Romagna, crostoli in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, frappe in

sprinkled with powdered sugar and closely resemble chiacchiere. Tradition

Lazio, chiacchiere, tortelli and farse in Lombardy, grostoi in Trentino,

holds that they are to be served at the end of the meal accompanied by

and grostoli or galani in Veneto.

a glass of the same Vinsanto used in the dough. Because they are so delicious, Tuscan housewives didn’t always wait for Carnival to enrich their Sunday tables.

Berlingozzi are another typical Tuscan Carnival treat. Baked in the oven, they have the classic doughnut shape. It would seem that the name derives “Berlingaccio” which at one time referred to either “Fat Thursday” or a mask that was worn during festival days. The verb “berlingare” used by the 16th century poets who frequented the court of Cosimo I de’ Medici in Florence meant to enjoy oneself and live it up at the table.

Berlingozzi are made with egg yolks, flour, sugar, yeast, grated lemon and/ or orange peel, butter and a little milk. Basically the same ingredients as those used in brigidini, another typical Tuscan pastry. Berlingozzi are also widespread in northern Umbria, especially in the upper valley of the Tiber where the pastry plays a part in a country fair in Pigiano near the

Thanks to its traditional rural roots, Carnival has always been tied to the

town of San Giustino.

agricultural and pastoral world. At one time it heralded the end of winter and the arrival of spring, the time of year that coincided with an opulent and fertile season for the earth, and insured fruitful harvests.

Carnival was also an opportunity to commit sins of gluttony, given the vast number of sweets prepared all over Italy.

The majority of the most famous sweets are fried. Many of them are indistinguishable from region to region, perhaps varying somewhat in shape and some ingredients. Such a gastronomic bounty need only be accompanied by or dipped in a glass of sweet spumante or a thimble full of sweet dessert wine. Fortunately, in Italy, we have an embarrassment of riches in this regard.

Carnival bugie are not only enjoyed across Liguria and Piedmont but also in Calabria, where a drop of Moscato wine is added to the usual dough.

There are endless variations. They are pastries that are filled with jam 22

imper f ec t c uisine Among all the sweets that are prepared during Carnival, the famous

Crostoli or grostoli are typical Carnival treats all across Friuli-Venezia

chiacchiere are perhaps the most popular and are known from the Alps to

Giulia. The dough is made with flour, sugar, eggs, yeast, and a drop of

Sicily. Although the recipe is practically the same everywhere, the name

Cognac or Grappa.

differs from region to region. The name chiacchiere is of Lombard origin and it is indeed the most popular sweet in the region. In addition to

Farsi are the fitters made in the area around Pavia. They have an irregular

the name, chiacchiere also differ in terms of the wine used in the dough,

spherical shape, are amber-colored, and have a sweet flavor. Flour, sugar,

which is prepared exclusively with flour, sugar, and yeast.

lemon zest, eggs, and yeast are combined, then the dough is divided into small spheres that are fried in hot oil for 6-7 minutes. The version that is filled with cream is also quite widespread and popular.

Frappe or sfrappole are a specialty from Emilia and Marche that are related to chiacchiere. They are prepared with flour, sugar, eggs, and yeast then cut into irregular diamond shape pieces. After being fried in oil, they are sprinkled with sugar and served piping hot. In many parts of Emilia-Romagna they are flavored with a small glass of anise liquor. And after frying and being sprinkled with sugar they are sometimes served with whipped cream.

Galani also belong to the chiacchiere family. They are eaten all over the Veneto region along with crostoli. They are made with flour, sugar, yeast, and eggs.

Finally, Struffoli are a traditional Neapolitan sweet that is enjoyed all over Campania. This pastry which is very similar in appearance to cicerchiata

The cicerchiata is widespread across central Italy and it boasts ancient

is prepared with flour, eggs, lard, sugar, and a pinch of salt. It is imbued

origins. In the shape of a rustic doughnut, it is made by joining a mound

with anise liqueur and garnished with colored sprinkled that lends the

of pastry balls today fried in oil, but once upon a time in lard, and

food a festive air.

covered with warm honey. A very similar pastry was said to be found on the ancient tables of Gubbio as a ritual and sacrificial food with the name, in the ancient Tuscan language of strusla, which was a spin off of sruikla, a diminuitive of struex and variation of the more common strues which meant “mound”. In all probability, the name cicerchiata is of Medieval origin and derives from “cicerchia” (grass peas) that were very common in that era in the regions of Umbria and Marche as well as southern Italy.

The Accademia Italiana della Cucina has been present in Hong Kong since 2012. The Delegation is headed by Mr Savio Pesavento and welcomes new members, individuals who are passionate about food and knowledgeable about Italian cuisine www.facebook.com/accademiaitalianadellacucinahongkong

23

ita li a n ch at s

Dante’s word of mouth

By Dante Alighieri Society

W

elcome all from Dante Alighieri Society Hong Kong!

are immersed in the frozen Lake Cocytus with icy wind. The more their

On the occasion of the 700th Anniversary of the father

bodies are submerged in water, the more serious is the penalty they have

of the Italian language, Dante Alighieri, we want to

committed.

celebrate him by launching a string of famous Italian expressions that

Now, to better understand its current use, imagine that you leave your

come straight from “Dante’s mouth”. Indeed, this year we celebrate

favourite cake in the fridge, thinking that you will eat it when you get

his death, but we often don’t realize how present he still is in the way

back home, tired after a long working day. But you’re not living alone,

we talk.

and your roommate says: “if you think you’re going to find it when you get

So, join us in the discovery of the intriguing origin of Dante Alighieri’s

home, stay cool!”.

“immortal” expressions that we have inherited and that keep living in our everyday conversations!

Have you ever wondered why do we use “this” or “that” specific word or expression? And why is it in that specific occasion? Proverbs, idioms, metaphors or simply words that sound so common to us are none other than the results of the ever-evolving language. The spoken language, in particular, adapts so fast to times that, most often, we barely know the fascinating origin of what we are saying.

Indeed, in spite of the continuous transformation of the Italian language throughout the years and the emergence of neologisms, many words derive from ancient times and are now fully embedded in our everyday language and life. And just like many British poets, like Shakespeare, gifted and enriched the English language, so did Dante with his Divine Comedy by filling Italian with a variety of popular words and expressions.

So, let’s start by rolling out the first series of Dante Alighieri’s word of mouth!

We cannot but start with the expression used by Dante Alighieri to call our beloved home and that better enclose the beauty of Italy:

“Il bel Paese” literally meaning “The beautiful country”

A truly poetic expression that refers to the wonderful Italian weather, landscape, and artistic culture as it is in Dante’s Inferno, canto XXXIII,

“Cosa fatta capo ha”

verse 80: “del bel paese là dove il sì suona”. And you? Have you ever been to the Bel Paese?

from Inferno canto XXVIII. In English we say “what is done is done”.

“Stai fresco” literally “stay cool” or “you can go whistle for it”

Nowadays, it can be used when you hand over your school assignment but start complaining with you schoolmate about what could be changed It is used ironically to say that something will not go as expected. It is an

and he replies “What is done is done” or in current Italian “Quel che è fatto

expression from the canto XXII: “I peccatori stanno freschi”. The sinners

è fatto” and you can’t take it back or change it.

24

ITALIAN CHATS

he hears the tormented screams of the damned. It is a very common expression in the Italian everyday language. Indeed, when we need or must switch from a positive to a negative topic or from good to bad news, we often say “Passiamo alle note dolenti!”

Last but not least…

“Bella persona” “Beautiful person”

“Fa tremar le vene e i polsi”

from probably one of the most famous verses written by Dante and we bet you all know: “Amor, ch’al cor gentil ratto s’apprende / prese costui de la bella persona che mi fu tolta; / e ‘l modo ancor m’offende” (Inferno V).

These words are pronounced by Francesca da Rimini to refer to herself, a beautiful person thanks to her inner characteristics that made the kind (cor gentil) Paolo Malatesta immediately fall in love with her. So, we usually use it to express that the exterior aspect is not as important as who we are the inside.

is a gothic expression to say “being extremely terrified”

and that we can find in the very first canto of the Inferno. It is used by Dante to express the strong feeling of fear in front of the wolf he run into while wandering in the dark forest, the famous “Selva oscura”. Wouldn’t you be scared as well?

During childhood, for example, little kids are afraid of the dark and falling asleep because of the monsters under the bed and this belief makes “their veins and wrists tremble”.

To quote the great Poet: if you believe that’s all…“stai fresco!” The expressions he gifted us are too many to fit in just one article. Many more to come! So, make sure you don’t miss out our next series of Dante’s word of mouth, and in the meantime, you can practice these poetic yet current expressions with your friends!

“Fatti non foste a viver come bruti” in the Inferno canto XXVI, literally means “you were not born to live like brutes”

It’s an invitation to live as human, with dignity and not as beasts, enjoying the benefits of the intellect. These words are pronounced by Ulysses who embodies the positive figure of the man who dedicates his existence to knowledge.

“Or incomincian le dolente note” can be translated as “let’s move on to the painful note”

This expression can be found in the Inferno V, and used by Dante when

For info on how to improve your Italian or learn it from scratch, you may contact: DANTE ALIGHIERI SOCIETY 1/F Honest Building, 9-11 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong ladante.cc | dantealighieri@ladante.cc

25

M EM B ER S S P OT L I G H T

C

“We make products that work; performance is engrained in our DNA. That is why consumers have gravitated towards us for over 60 years – our products have always been designed to be functionfirst, ahead of everything else” Scott Cameron, President Asia Pacific – Canada Goose

anada Goose always do more. Its that idea that gave us the inspiration to call our purpose commitment HUMANATURE.

We published our first Sustainability Impact Strategy last year on Earth Day, building on our core value of keeping the planet cold, and outlining our vision for the future.

How would you describe your company in 3 words and why?

Authenticity, Made-in-Canada, Performance Luxury.

Founded in 1957 in a small warehouse in Toronto, Canada Goose is a lifestyle brand and a leading manufacturer of performance luxury apparel. Every collection is informed by the rugged demands of the Arctic, ensuring a legacy of functionality is embedded in every product from parkas and rainwear to apparel and accessories. Canada Goose is inspired by relentless innovation and uncompromised craftmanship, recognized as a leader for its Made in Canada commitment. In 2020, Canada Goose announced HUMANATURE, its purpose platform that unites its sustainability and values-based initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to keep the planet cold and people on it warm. Canada Goose also owns Baffin, a Canadian designer and manufacturer of performance outdoor and industrial footwear.

We are an authentic brand; authenticity has always been at the heart of Canada Goose, along with sharing Canadian Warmth. We make products that work; performance is engrained in our DNA. That is why consumers have gravitated towards us for over 60 years – our products have always been designed to be function-first, ahead of everything else.

Among different targets, one of our main goals is to achieve carbon neutrality, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2025. Additionally, we’re committed to reaching 90 per cent of Canada Goose fabrics as bluesign® approved for responsible and sustainable practices by 2025.

Bluesign uses a system of factory audits and certification to monitor the complex journey of materials at every step of the supply chain– from chemical formulation to the finished product.

In publishing our first Sustainability Report we now have a yearly commitment to track our progress against a multitude of aggressive goals to ensure a future for our planet.

What is the special relationship between Canada Goose and Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is home to the first Canada Goose retail store in Greater China, our IFC Mall location opened in 2019. We opened our head office in Hong Kong in the same year; the team based here is responsible for the APAC market.

Our newest edition is our Kowloon store, which we just recently opened on Canton Road, a proud milestone for us as it is home to many luxury brands.

Hong Kong is also the first global market we have entered that has a sub-tropical region. This provides a great opportunity for us to shelter our consumers from many elements and move beyond our iconic parka. Hong Kong is a leading market for us to grow our lightweight down, rain, wind and knitwear products.

Tell us about a successful project that Canada Goose runs.

As previously mentioned we recently launched HUMANATURE, which is more than a platform it is our brand philosophy which means it is embedded in all our decision making. We are forever inspired by the people of the North who have lived in harmony with nature for thousands of years and whose practices are rooted in sustainability.

We strive to repair the gap between humanity and the natural world, but we also know that as citizens of a global community we can 26

Italian freight forwarding.

Made easy. foppianishipping.hk

FOPPIANI SHIPPING & LOGISTICS HK CO., LTD. tel: +852 2116-0921 info@foppianishipping.hk

M EM B ER S S P OT L I G H T

“For us, pizza is art: the aroma of the freshly baked pies, the lightness of the naturally leavened dough, the sounds of the crackling crust are all part of the experience”

G

ustaci Pizzalounge

How would you describe your company in 3 words and why?

Successful project Gustaci Pizzalounge runs.

Gustaci Pizzalounge is the result of three elements: The Pizza, Passion, and Art

As much as we strive to bring one of the top quality pizzas of Hong Kong to our guests, we also embrace the arts. We commissioned local illustrators and artists to bring our space alive. These are art pieces that capture our essence and our passion for Italian food and culture.

Some artworks use rather fun visual language, while others use more abstract expressions. This project is ongoing as we hope to give a platform for young and emerging artists of Hong Kon and beyond.

As passionate artisans of true Italian flavors, it is our mission to share with the world our most treasured gastronomical wonder: the Neapolitan pizza. For us, pizza is art: the aroma of the freshly baked pies, the lightness of the naturally leavened dough, the sounds of the crackling crust are all part of the experience.

At Gustaci Pizzalounge we created an environment that is a translation of our passion for excellence. We grew up with that pizza, what UNESCO calls an intangible heritage, while art has been part of our collective consciousness since centuries. We wanted to bring all these unde the same roof, here, in Hong Kong, and this is Gustaci Pizzalounge.

28

What is the special relationship between Gustaci Pizzalounge and Hong Kong?

Our decades-long personal history with Hong Kong is the first layer to our relationship with the city. The second layer is Gustaci Pizzalounge’s unique location, which is a much-loved heritage site.

If Hong Kong is our home, Police Married Quarters, aka PMQ, is our neighborhood. We serve the people of Hong Kong with quality dishes which are well priced, and a sensorial experience that goes beyond food.

Besides our daily operation, we are also teaming with charities to give back to the city that shows so much appreciation towards Italian culture, food and allows us to thrive.

HIG HLI G HTS

Election Annual General Meeting The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macao is pleased to

Ms Micaela Salotto

announce that the new Executive Committee has been elected during the

CEO - Framis Italia HK Ltd

2021 Election Annual General Meeting (EAGM) on Monday, March 15th.

Mr Francesco Vitali Tax Director - Deloitte Asia Pacific International Core of Excellence

On behalf of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, please welcome the following individuals who, after the stages of nominations and ballots,

Mr Alessandro Vitale

have been indicated as either newly elected representatives or re-elected

Chief Executive Hong Kong Branch, General Manager Asia Pacific Hub -

members of the Executive Committee:

Intesa SanPaolo

President

Congratulations to the aforementioned thirteen individuals: the Italian

Mr Ivano Poma

Chamber of Commerce looks forward to their valuable insights and fresh

Chief Executive Officer - China Red Star Real Estate Group

perspectives as we actively continue our commitment to our members.

Vice President

The previously-mentioned members have began their term on Tuesday,

Mr Davide De Rosa

March 16th and will remain in charge for the two-year period 2021–2022.

Partner - Gianni & Origoni Conclusively, the Chamber of Commerce seizes the opportunity to thank Corporate Secretary

all the individuals who cast their vote for their participation, as well as all

Mr Claudio de Bedin

the outgoing members of the Executive Committee for their outstanding

Partner - de Bedin & Lee LLP

service performed during the last mandate, their dedicated service to the Organization, their time and diligent efforts in developing and improving

Treasurer

the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macao in such

Mr Marzio Morgante

difficult and unforeseeable time.

Managing Partner - Asian Tax Advisory Limited Executive Committee Mr Marco Bovoloni Head of Client & Distribution- Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. – Hong Kong Mr Christian Foddis President, Asia Pacific - Ermenegildo Zegna Mr Marco Galimberti General Manager - Venchi HK Limited Mr. Filippo Melchionni APAC, Chief Executive Officer - Ferrari Group Ltd. Mr Luca Morlotti Shareholder and Managing Director - FICEP Hong Kong Ltd. Ms Esterina Nervino Director, Retail in Asia - Bluebell (Asia) Ltd.

30

wh at ’s o n h on g k on g

by

Lia Campiglio

B

orn in a small countryside town of Piemonte (Italy), Lia Campiglio then left home and moved to Venice to study Oriental languages (Mandarin) at Ca' Foscari University. After living and studying abroad in Barcelona

(Spain), Beijing and Nanjing (PRC), in 2012 she decided to leave her Country and work in a competitive market such as that of Hong Kong. She is currently working at the Italian Cultural Institute of Hong Kong. While organizing cultural events related to Italian culture, arts and lifestyle she enjoys exploring the wonders of South East Asia.

Around the world, public holidays are generally days of celebration, like the anniversary of a significant historical event or a religious celebration. Holidays can land on a specific day of the year or follow other calendar systems like the Lunar Calendar and fall on different dates each year.

There are many public holidays celebrated in both Hong Kong and Italy… Which are the most famous ones? Which are their origins and traditions? From gifts and traditions, let’s have a look at the upcoming ones and enjoy these famous celebrations like locals do, wherever you are!

4 April - Qingming Festival (清明節)

combined as one.

The Qingming Festival or “Grave-Sweeping Day”, also referred

ritual cleaning of gravesites to show respect to a family’s ancestors.

The most visible activity revolves around tomb-sweeping: the

to as the “Pure Brightness Festival”, pays respect to ancestors

People visit their graves, refresh their tombstones, make offerings

and celebrates the warming weather of spring. It is a time for

of food, tea, or wine, burn incense and joss paper - offerings can

the families to come together and honor the past by visiting and

range from simple paper banknotes to elaborate paper crafts shaped

maintaining the burial sites of loved ones and ancestors with a spirit

like clothing, cars. Burning ceremonial joss paper is meant to care

of celebration that includes space for both reflection and renewal.

for ancestors in the afterlife and send them the luxuries they lacked

This festival is one of the two big annual festivals designated for the

while living. Once tomb sweeping is complete, families picnic and

dead - the other is the “Hungry Ghost Festival” in autumn.

spend the afternoon enjoying outdoor activities, like flying kites.

People believe that this custom can bring good luck and eliminate

The holiday is celebrated 15 days after the spring equinox - either

diseases. Some people place willow branches on gates and front

4, 5, or 6 April in a given year - when things are meant to be clean

doors: this custom will ward off wandering evil spirits during the

(ching - 清) and bright (ming - 明)As the festival occurs and spring

festival.

blooms, it is generally considered an auspicious time.

The traditional festival food is sweet green rice balls (qingtuan - 青 團)- made of a mixture of glutinous rice powder and green vegetable

It is said that this festival was originally held to commemorate a

juice and stuffed with sweet bean paste -, but this is rarely observed

loyal man named Jie Zitui living in China during the Spring and

today. As the holiday focuses on honoring family ancestors, the

Autumn Period (770 - 476 BC) who cut a piece of meat from his

result is an emphasis on homestyle family favorites.

leg to save his hungry lord who was forced to go into exile. After coming back, the lord forgot Jie Zitui, who retired on a mountain

4 & 5 April - Pasqua and Pasquetta (lunedì dell’Angelo)

with his elderly mother. To find him, the lord ordered to set the mountain on fire; unfortunately, Jie Zitui and his mother were found dead. To commemorate him, the lord erected a temple and

Easter celebration or Pasqua symbolizes the death and resurrection

ordered that the day Jie died was Hanshi Festival (Cold Food), the

of Jesus Christ in the Christian religion. Historically, the Easter

day that only cold food could be eaten. The next year, when the

holiday was marked on each Sunday after the first full moon in the

lord went to the mountain to pay tribute to Jie, he found willows

spring equinox.

revived, so he gave instructions that the day after Hanshi Festival was to be the Qingming Festival. Later, the two festivals were

The Italian Easter begins on Good Friday and is celebrated all 32

wh at’s o n h o n g k ong weekend long to Easter Monday, or Pasquetta. From north to

to honor Saint Mark, the city’s patron saint, through a gondoliers’

south, all the cities throughout the Peninsula organize processions,

regatta and a procession to Saint Mark’s Basilica; and the traditional

religious rites, holy representations depicting the crucifixion and

Festa del Bocolo, or “blooming rose”, a day when men present the

resurrection of Christ, sagre or food fairs, and folkloristic traditions

women in their lives (girlfriends, wives, or mothers) with a red

that center around the Passion of the Christ. Statues of Jesus Christ

rosebud or bocolo.

and the Virgin Mary are paraded throughout the cities while participants carry olive branches singing religious songs; Easter is

Bella Ciao, an Italian protest folk song created by workers to

also a time to attend mass.

protest against the harsh working conditions in the paddy fields of North Italy, was modified and adopted as the anthem of the Italian

It is also a time to have fun with family and friends by painting

resistance movement during World War II. Even today, the lyrics

hard-boiled eggs and collecting chocolate Easter Eggs - sorry, the

continue to be sung worldwide as an anti-fascist hymn of freedom

Easter Bunny does not exist in Italy! -. No Italian Easter holiday

and resistance.

is complete without sampling seasonal delicacies such as Colomba

19 May - Buddha’s Birthday (佛誕)

pasquale, a traditional sweet Easter bread, the counterpart of Christmas specialties panettone and pandoro..

Buddha’s Birthday is one of the largest Buddhist festivals and it is a national holiday celebrated on the eighth day of the fourth

An Italian proverb says Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi:

month of the lunar calendar, which falls in April or May on the

“Christmas with your family, Easter with whomever you want”),

Gregorian calendar. Due to the prevalence of Buddhism in Hong

thus people usually spend their Easter Monday, also known as

Kong, the government made this day a public holiday starting from

Pasquetta, enjoying the fresh spring weather while picnicking or

1998.

BBQing with family and friends in the countryside, at the beach or in the mountains.

It’s a time for everyone to reflect on the Buddha’s teachings and work on bettering themselves; the main purpose is to remind

25 April - Liberation Day

people to use the Buddha’s wisdom to purify their minds. On this

Italy’s Liberation Day, or Festa della Liberazione, is a national

occasion, local temples and monasteries are buzzing with activities

public holiday marked by ceremonies and historic re-enactments

including group chanting and prayer sessions, kung fu, and

to commemorate both the end of the fascist regime and the Nazi

vegetarian cooking demonstrations; special ceremonies and liturgy

Germany occupation during World War II, and the victory of the

are held in honor of the Buddha, too.

Resistance in Italy.

The most important temple is the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Since the International Workers’ Day, also known as Labour

Island - which is considered a holy place for Buddhists. Its Tian

Day, on the 1st of May falls less than a week later, people often

Tan Buddha is one of the tallest outdoor bronze sitting Buddhas in

take a ponte to have an extended vacationfrom April 25 through

the world. Most notable is the public Buddha bathing ceremony, in

May 1.

which worshippers pour fragrant water on the Buddha statue. This is done to purify the mind with the help of Buddha’s wisdom and,

The actual date - largely symbolic and chosen by convention in 1946

according to legend, when Buddha was born, nine dragons came

-, was the day of the year 1945 when the Committee of National

from the sky and spat water to bathe him.

Liberation for Northern Italy (CLNAI) officially proclaimed

2 June - Italian National Day

the insurgency through a nation-wide radio announcement encouraging a popular uprising against the Nazi occupation and

Each year on the 2nd of June Italy celebrates the Festa della

Fascist regime. This announcement led to the capture and death of

Repubblica, the Italian National Day, that commemorates the

the Fascist leader, Benito Mussolini, three days later.

institutional referendum held by universal suffrage in 1946, in which the Italian people were called to the polls to decide on the

Many cities organize parades, marches, and other events to pay

form of government, republic or monarchy, following the Second

tribute to those who lost their lives in the fight to free their country,

World War and the fall of Fascism. Italians chose to become a

however, the most elaborate celebrations occur in the capital city

Republic and as a consequence, the Italian royal family, the House

of Rome. The Italian president pays a visit to the Ardeatine Caves

of Savoy, were sent into exile.

mausoleum, where 335 Romans were killed by Nazis in 1944, and the aerobatic demonstration team of the Italian Air Force known as

On the feast day, official ceremonies are held throughout the

Frecce Tricolori flies over Rome coloring the sky with green, white,

national territory. The ceremonial event organized in Rome includes

and red, as a sign of homage on the anniversary of the Liberation

the solemn flag-raising ceremony at the Altare della Patria and the

Day.

tribute to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with the deposition of a laurel wreath by the President of the Italian Republic.

On the same day, Venice celebrates both the Festa di San Marco

After the execution of the Il Canto degli Italiani - best known as 33

wh at ’s o n h on g k on g

Inno di Mameli -, the Frecce Tricolori cross the skies of the city.

the powerful state of Qin, Qu Yuan was banished for opposing the

The ceremony continues in the afternoon with the opening of the

alliance. After Qin captured the capital of the kingdom of Chu, Qu

gardens of the Quirinale Palace and with musical performances and

Yuan decided to drown himself in the Miluo River. Local people

military parades by all the Italian Armed Forces.

raced out in their boats to save him, in vain. The festival’s distinctive dragon boat races are a re-enactment of the frantic attempts of the

14 June - Tuen Ng Festival (端午節) or Dragon Boat Festival (龙舟節)

fishermen who rowed out to save him. When his body could not be

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Tuen Ng Festival,

be the origin of zongzi.

occurs on the 5th day of the 5th month of the traditional lunar calendar. Three of the most widespread activities conducted during this festival are drinking realgar wine - an alcoholic drink made from Chinese yellow wine dosed with powdered realgar -; making and eating zongzi with family members and friends; racing dragon boats. People traditionally wrap glutinous rice dumplings (zongzi) in bamboo leaves, forming a pyramid shape. After wrapping in leaves, the dumplings are tied up with reeds and then immersed in

found, fishermen dropped balls of sticky rice into the river so that the fish would eat them instead of Qu Yuan’s body; this is said to

In recent years, dragon boat racing has become a festive and exciting sporting event that involves teams of paddlers racing long wooden boats in the sea or the rivers. The races include both expats and locals and teams of men and women contestants. The boats are usually decorated with elaborately carved dragon heads and tails and feature prominently a big traditional Chinese drum at the rear of the boat. The drummer on the boat beats loudly on the drum

boiling water until cooked through.

to control the paddlers’ speed. The dragon boat races in Victoria

The traditional story holds that the festival commemorates the

with them, there are also smaller competitions at other locations

death of the poet and minister Qu Yuan (c. 340 - 278 BC) who lived in the Chinese kingdom of Chu during the Warring States

Harbour and Stanley beach are the biggest competitions; along including Aberdeen, Sai Kung, Sha Tin, Cheung Chau, Discovery Bay, and Tai O.

period of the Zhou Dynasty. When the king decided to ally with

250+

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