Place-based Arts Festivals in Hong Kong as extensions of civic space: A case study of the Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival

Abstract

This paper examines how the Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival in Hong Kong extends civic space by fostering social interactions, community engagement, and cultural exchange. The study uses qualitative methods, including site visits and interviews with festival curators, local villagers, volunteers, and visitors, to explore relational dynamics within the festival. The research finds that the festival enhances community ties and a sense of belonging, forming a budding civic network, but suggests that more community capacity-building initiatives are needed to sustain relationships and engagement beyond the festival. This research highlights the relational nature of civic space, showing how people's social interactions and emotional connections redefine physical spaces beyond their conventional understanding of containers and forms.