“Heritage Alive” Event: Illuminating the Power of Heritage Revitalization
We are delighted to announce the resounding success of the “Heritage Alive” sharing evening, held on February 26th, 2025. With over 100 guests in attendance, the event, co-organised by Fondation de France Asia and the Consulate General of France, and in association with Centre des Monuments Nationaux, aimed to illuminate the vital role of heritage revitalization in understanding our present and shaping our future. The event, co-hosted by the Asia Society Hong Kong Center, provided a platform to explore the challenges and the profound importance of preserving cultural heritage within our contemporary world.
The night began with Jocelyn Bouraly from the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, joining us virtually to highlight the importance of preserving the unique character of historic buildings.
Melanie Kwok (Head of Sustainability of Sino Group and Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation) then shared the story and development of the Tai O Heritage Hotel, the first UNESCO – awarded hotel in Hong Kong. She has been dedicated to this project for ten years, demonstrating how conservation can truly connect a community to its past and present, and showcasing how dedicated Hong Kong is to the preservation of its heritage and cultural sites.
Happy Harun (Project Director of the China Heritage Fund) concluded the presentations with a comprehensive look at the reconstruction of the Garden of the Palace of Established Happiness in the Forbidden City, which suffered a devastating fire in 1923. She highlighted the team’s dedication to historical accuracy by relying on photographs from the time of the last Emperor Pu Yi.
The evening culminated in a lively Q&A session, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas, bringing together a diverse audience to network, share insights, and engage in lively discussions on the future of heritage preservation.
This successful event would not have been possible without the dedication and expertise of our speakers, the invaluable support of our partners, and the enthusiastic engagement of our attendees. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making “Heritage Alive” a truly memorable and impactful experience.
