THE HONG KONG EXPERIENCE
The Hong Kong Experience project: My Nottingham – a celebration of the experiences of families from Hong Kong who have moved to Nottingham.
What was the Hong Kong Experience?
Creating an inclusive and child-friendly city for families of all backgrounds is a priority in Nottingham. The Hong Kong Experience project, funded by the AHRC Impact Acceleration Account at the University of Nottingham, united scholars from Nottingham University’s Sustainable Travel and Tourism Advanced Research Centre to contribute to this goal.
In collaboration with Nottingham Central Library, Visit Nottinghamshire and Nottingham City Council, the project team focused on the growing Hong Kong immigrant community in Nottingham, capturing their memories for the Nottingham Local Studies Library.
The Hong Kong Experience Activities
All project activities were designed to prioritise the voices of immigrant families and children, and to foster a sense of pride in Nottingham. Hong Kong immigrant and local families were invited to participate in activities to facilitate intercultural exchange and promote appreciation for diversity and multicultural identities.
Three workshops ran between 27 July and 31 August 2024. Artist Edwina Kung and the Hong Kong Experience project lead Carol Zhang co-designed three interactive workshops to help children express their identity and immigration experiences, as well as to explore Child Friendly Nottingham through the eyes of children in a fun, supportive and creative environment. The children created mixed-media artworks during the workshops.
The exhibition at Nottingham Central Library launched on 17 September and ran until 31 October 2024. Launched on Mid-Autumn Day – a traditional Chinese festival – the Hong Kong Experience: My Nottingham exhibition showcased 40 artworks created in the workshops. It attracted hundreds of visitors and received positive feedback from those who attended.
The Celebration Event was held in the Children’s Library on 25 October 2024 to mark the project’s conclusion. Winners of the artwork competition were announced and delicious fusion food and snacks served. The event attracted over 150 people from across the city to celebrate inclusivity and diversity. A short film was also produced, showcasing the experiences of some of the families moving to Nottingham and featuring some of the staff involved in the project.
The Hong Kong Experience Film
