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<p>Jewellery isn’t whispering this season – it’s roaring with confidence. From oversized chains to sculptural gold and daring mixed metals, fine jewellery is embracing boldness with elegance. Emphatically creative and undeniably glamorous, it’s the punctuation mark on every outfit, the exclamation point of personal style.</p>



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<p>As fashion leans into expressive silhouettes, rich textures and tactile materials, jewellery is stepping forward as the defining accent of the moment. It’s no longer just about sparkle, it’s about strength, style and unapologetic self-expression.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1-Cartier-Charm-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88691" width="768" height="480" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1-Cartier-Charm-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1-Cartier-Charm-448x280.jpg 448w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1-Cartier-Charm-480x300.jpg 480w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1-Cartier-Charm-768x480.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1-Cartier-Charm-200x125.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1-Cartier-Charm-800x500.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1-Cartier-Charm.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Chains of Command</h3>



<p>Among the many motifs making waves, one stands out above the rest: the chain. But not the delicate strands of seasons past – this year’s chains are bold, chunky and architectural. They command attention with exaggerated proportions and unexpected finishes. Necklaces, bracelets and even earrings are being reimagined with sculptural links that feel assertive and modern.</p>



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<p>Designers are exploring the chain’s versatility in fresh and exciting ways. Polished gold loops, matte silver ovals, classic curb links and twisted sculptural forms are all part of the mix. These pieces are powerful on their own and even more striking when layered.</p>



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<p>Worn with a crisp white shirt or a minimalist black dress, a statement chain adds instant edge and sophistication. It can be sleek or rebellious, timeless or trend-forward. It’s a motif that adapts to the wearer, offering endless styling possibilities and a bold sense of identity.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Dior_01-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88693" width="768" height="480" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Dior_01-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Dior_01-448x280.jpg 448w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Dior_01-480x300.jpg 480w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Dior_01-768x480.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Dior_01-200x125.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Dior_01-800x500.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Dior_01.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Boldly Gold</h3>



<p>Another standout trend this season is the rise of sculptural gold. Think molten textures, asymmetrical forms and organic shapes that resemble miniature artworks more than traditional accessories. These pieces don’t just decorate; they provoke, inspire and transform. They’re conversation starters as well as tactile treasures that invite touch and admiration.</p>



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<p>Designers are leaning into the inherent warmth and fluidity of gold, emphasising its weight and movement. The result is jewellery that feels intimate and expressive, with pieces coming together to build a compelling narrative that evokes emotion and artistry.</p>



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<p>Sculptural gold pairs beautifully with minimalist fashion, adding depth and drama to clean lines. It also complements rich textures like velvet, wool and leather, making it ideal for autumn-winter layering. Whether it’s a twisted cuff, a bold ring or a pair of abstract earrings, these pieces bring a sense of craftsmanship and creativity to everyday style.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Dior_02-copy-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88694" width="768" height="480" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Dior_02-copy-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Dior_02-copy-448x280.jpg 448w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Dior_02-copy-480x300.jpg 480w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Dior_02-copy-768x480.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Dior_02-copy-200x125.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Dior_02-copy-800x500.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Dior_02-copy.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Mixed Signals</h3>



<p>Gone are the days when mixing gold and silver pieces was considered a fashion faux pas. Today, this is a bold and fashion-forward move embraced by stylists, influencers and tastemakers alike. Mixed-metal jewellery is everywhere – from dual-tone rings to layered necklaces that blend yellow, white and rose gold with effortless flair.</p>



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<p>The appeal of mixed metals lies in their adaptability. They work across various skin tones, outfit palettes and personal aesthetics. They also reflect a broader cultural shift toward individuality, where rules are meant to be rewritten and personal style reigns supreme.</p>



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<p>Layering yellow gold and platinum or silver together creates a dynamic look that feels fresh, modern and expressive. It adds dimension to a jewellery stack and allows for playful combinations. Whether worn with denim or eveningwear, mixed metals offer a versatile and empowering option for the season.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2-Tiffany-Co_02-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88692" width="768" height="480" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2-Tiffany-Co_02-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2-Tiffany-Co_02-448x280.jpg 448w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2-Tiffany-Co_02-480x300.jpg 480w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2-Tiffany-Co_02-768x480.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2-Tiffany-Co_02-200x125.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2-Tiffany-Co_02-800x500.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2-Tiffany-Co_02.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Armed with Charms</h3>



<p>Charm jewellery is also having a renaissance, but with a luxurious twist. No longer just playful trinkets, charms are now crafted in fine materials and elevated designs. They tell stories, mark milestones and reflect character in deeply personal ways. From initials and birthstones to symbols of luck, love and legacy, charms offer a way to wear one’s heart on their sleeve – or wrist, neck or ear.</p>



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<p>This season’s charm jewellery blends nostalgia with sophistication. It’s delicate yet expressive, sentimental yet stylish. Whether worn solo or stacked, charms add a layer of meaning to any look. They are perfect for gifting, collecting or commemorating life’s special moments. And with customisable options, they become even more personal – each piece a reflection of the wearer’s journey.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3-Saint-Laurent_oversize-earrings_01-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88695" width="768" height="480" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3-Saint-Laurent_oversize-earrings_01-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3-Saint-Laurent_oversize-earrings_01-448x280.jpg 448w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3-Saint-Laurent_oversize-earrings_01-480x300.jpg 480w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3-Saint-Laurent_oversize-earrings_01-768x480.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3-Saint-Laurent_oversize-earrings_01-200x125.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3-Saint-Laurent_oversize-earrings_01-800x500.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3-Saint-Laurent_oversize-earrings_01.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Strong Statements</h3>



<p>After years of minimalism dominating the jewellery scene, boldness is making a triumphant return. Statement earrings, oversized rings and layered necklaces are back in vogue, often styled with equally dramatic fashion. The look is unapologetic, glamorous and deeply expressive. Designers are showcasing jewellery that’s theatrical and sculptural – think chandelier earrings that graze the shoulders, gem-encrusted brooches that double as art, and cocktail rings that span multiple fingers.</p>



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<p>This maximalist moment is not just about size, it’s also about presence. Jewellery is being used to anchor outfits, create focal points and convey mood. It’s a celebration of individuality and artistry, perfect for the festive season ahead. Whether it’s a dazzling pair of earrings worn to a party or a bold cuff that elevates a workday ensemble, statement pieces are designed to be seen, admired and remembered.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Identity Heft</h3>



<p>As fashion becomes more fluid and seasonless, jewellery is playing an increasingly important role in defining personal style. It’s the anchor of your look, the element that adds polish, personality and permanence. Whether through a signature ring, a daily chain or a rotating charm bracelet, jewellery is how many people express their identity. It’s no longer reserved for special occasions; it’s part of life’s rhythm, worn at work, at home and at play.</p>



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<p>This shift is reflected in how jewellery is styled. Layered necklaces with knitwear, bold earrings with tailored blazers, sculptural rings with casual denim – these combinations reflect a new approach to fashion. Jewellery is no longer the finishing touch; it’s the starting point. It sets the tone, defines the mood and tells the story.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chanel_02-copy-1-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88704" width="768" height="480" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chanel_02-copy-1-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chanel_02-copy-1-448x280.jpg 448w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chanel_02-copy-1-480x300.jpg 480w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chanel_02-copy-1-768x480.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chanel_02-copy-1-200x125.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chanel_02-copy-1-800x500.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chanel_02-copy-1.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Expressive Experimentation</h3>



<p>Several cultural and industry forces are shaping the current jewellery landscape. Nostalgia for the optimistic spirit of the millennium and early-2000s aesthetics are influencing design, bringing back chunky silhouettes, playful motifs and expressive details. On the other hand, an increasing reliance on social-media platforms like Instagram and TikTok in the digital age is driving demand for photogenic, expressive pieces that pop on screen and in real life.</p>



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<p>Jewellery trends habitually shift to meet the fashion demands of the season, and this autumn’s rich textures and layered looks pair beautifully with bold jewellery. Think wool coats with sculptural brooches or velvet dresses with oversized earrings. Meanwhile, a push for greater personal expression has wearers seeking pieces that feel meaningful, versatile and unique – jewellery that tells a story and reflects their values.</p>



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<p>These influences are converging to create a jewellery moment that’s vibrant, dynamic and deeply engaging. It’s a season of experimentation, of mixing and matching, of layering and stacking. It’s about finding pieces that resonate emotionally and aesthetically.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chinese-Gold-Bangles_03-copy-1-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88703" width="768" height="480" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chinese-Gold-Bangles_03-copy-1-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chinese-Gold-Bangles_03-copy-1-448x280.jpg 448w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chinese-Gold-Bangles_03-copy-1-480x300.jpg 480w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chinese-Gold-Bangles_03-copy-1-768x480.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chinese-Gold-Bangles_03-copy-1-200x125.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chinese-Gold-Bangles_03-copy-1-800x500.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Chinese-Gold-Bangles_03-copy-1.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Party Sparklers</h3>



<p>As the festive season approaches, jewellery assumes its place on centre stage. Expect to see more focus on gifting, party styling and heirloom pieces. Designers are spotlighting limited-edition collections, gemstone highlights and customisable options that cater to both tradition and innovation. Jewellery is becoming more than just an accessory – it’s an experience, a memory, a statement.</p>



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<p>This is the perfect time to explore jewellery as both fashion and emotion. Whether it’s a sculptural cuff that feels like wearable art, a charm necklace that tells your story, or a mixed-metal stack that defies convention, the message is clear: jewellery is personal, powerful and transformative.</p>



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<p>November invites us to dress with intention, to celebrate with style, and to express ourselves boldly. And nothing does that quite like jewellery. It’s the sparkle that speaks volumes, the detail that defines the look, and the piece that makes it yours.</p>


Pieces of Weight: Bold, sculptural jewels signalling strength and individuality shine this season


<p>Cristin Milioti doesn’t just play characters, she inhabits them. Whether she’s singing her heart out on Broadway, unravelling emotional trauma in a sci-fi dystopia, or stealing scenes in a dark crime drama – and winning an Emmy for it – Milioti brings a rare blend of vulnerability, wit and intensity to every role. Her career is a masterclass in versatility, and her story is one of quiet persistence, artistic risk-taking and a refusal to be typecast.</p>



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<p>Born in Cherry Hill, New Jersey in 1985, young Cristin grew up in a close-knit Italian-American family. Her love for performance began early; she sang in bands, acted in school plays and spent summers at Long Lake Camp for the Arts in upstate New York, where she first realised that acting was more than a hobby – it was her calling. After high school, she briefly attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, dropping out to devote herself full-time to her career.</p>



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<p>She began with a patchwork of commercials, guest spots on The Sopranos (2006-7), and regional theatre gigs. It was the stage that truly shaped her.&nbsp; Off-Broadway productions like Stunning (2009) and That Face (2010) showcased her emotional range and magnetic presence. She wasn’t just another aspiring actress; she was a performer with a distinct voice and a fearless approach to character work.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1a-2-822x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88621" width="617" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1a-2-822x1024.jpg 822w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1a-2-225x280.jpg 225w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1a-2-768x957.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1a-2-1233x1536.jpg 1233w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1a-2-1644x2048.jpg 1644w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1a-2-200x249.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1a-2-800x997.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 617px) 100vw, 617px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Once Upon a Tune</h3>



<p>Milioti’s breakthrough came in 2011 with the Broadway musical Once, where she played ‘Girl’, a Czech pianist, opposite Steve Kazee’s ‘Guy’. The show was a runaway hit, earning her a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album. Her portrayal was luminous – equal parts quirky and heartbreaking – and it solidified her reputation as a singular talent with both vocal and dramatic chops.</p>



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<p>Although she has now gravitated from musicals to dramas, she says: “I wish I were singing more. I really miss it a lot. It is the most open you can be.”</p>



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<p>In 2013, she landed the role that would introduce her to millions: Tracy McConnell, a.k.a. ‘The Mother’, on CBS’s fan-favourite sitcom How I Met Your Mother. For years, viewers had speculated about the identity of Ted Mosby’s future wife, and Milioti’s arrival in the latter stages of the long-running saga was met with both excitement and scrutiny. She brought warmth, humour and emotional resonance to the role, and helped give the series a bittersweet, memorable conclusion.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="642" height="1024" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2a-1-642x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88623" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2a-1-642x1024.jpg 642w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2a-1-176x280.jpg 176w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2a-1-768x1224.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2a-1-964x1536.jpg 964w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2a-1-1285x2048.jpg 1285w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2a-1-200x319.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2a-1-800x1275.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2a-1-scaled.jpg 1606w" sizes="(max-width: 642px) 100vw, 642px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">From Street to Sci-fi</h3>



<p>Milioti’s film career kicked into gear with a supporting role in Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street (2013). She held her own opposite Leonardo DiCaprio, delivering a performance that was both grounded and emotionally charged.</p>



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<p>Continuing to choose eclectic projects, she starred opposite Andy Samberg in the critically acclaimed romantic comedy Palm Springs (2020) as a cynical wedding guest trapped in a time loop. Balancing existential dread with comedic timing, her performance was a revelation – funny, fierce and deeply human. “I do love something that has its tentacles in many genres,” she said of the movie.</p>



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<p>In the HBO Max series Made for Love (2021–2022), she played a woman whose tech billionaire husband implanted a chip in her brain. Relaying grit and vulnerability, her performance anchored a show blending satire, sci-fi and emotional drama.</p>



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<p>Milioti’s affinity for complex, genre-bending roles also found a perfect outlet in Black Mirror. In the 2017 episode USS Callister, her portrayal of a programmer reclaiming agency in a digital nightmare was widely praised, and she was excited to reprise it earlier this year in USS Callister: Into Infinity.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3a-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88627" width="768" height="480" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3a-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3a-448x280.jpg 448w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3a-480x300.jpg 480w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3a-768x480.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3a-200x125.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3a-800x500.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3a.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A Mad Part</h3>



<p>Last year, she took on her most ambitious part yet: Sofia Falcone in HBO’s The Penguin, a spin-off from the 2022 film The Batman, with a prosthetics-disguised Colin Farrell in the titular role. She imbued Sofia – a cunning, ruthless player in Gotham’s criminal underworld – with layers of complexity. She wasn’t just a villain; she was a woman navigating power, legacy and survival.</p>



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<p>“I’m such a huge Batman fan, so to just even be in this universe was a thrill, but to get to play this multi-layered villain, it was a dream,” she says. “Sofia is such a wonderful example where you get to see how she’s driven mad and how the world can drive someone mad, and how pain can drive people to do terrible things. I mean, that’s the world that we’re living in.”</p>



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<p>Asked by the media during the show’s run how she felt her character was being received, she replied coyly: “I don’t read reviews. I’m too much of a scaredy cat. But I heard a general weather report that people like the show, and that was enough. Then, I stuck my head back in the sand. It’s always very nerve-racking to share your work with the world.”</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Power &amp; Passion</h3>



<p>Earning a Critics’ Choice Award, a Golden Globe nomination, and her first Emmy win for Best Actress in a Limited Series for The Penguin was a career-defining moment that confirmed what her fans had long known: Milioti is a powerhouse. She doesn’t just meet expectations; she exceeds them, often in unexpected ways.</p>



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<p>Off-screen, she is a passionate advocate for animal adoption. She has worked with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) to promote rescue efforts and is the proud owner of Rupert, a mixed-breed West Highland White Terrier. Her social media occasionally features Rupert’s antics, offering a glimpse into her personal life and her love for animals.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Camera Shy</h3>



<p>Adding to her creative footprint, Milioti has contributed to various soundtracks and musical projects, as well as animated series and audiobooks. Whether singing or narrating, her voice carries a distinct emotional texture that adds depth to every project. What she doesn’t like is watching her own performances or indulging in self-reflection: “It’s uncomfortable to ruminate on oneself in a public setting – but I find it uncomfortable even if it’s not public.”</p>



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<p>She begins every new acting challenge, she says, “with a lot of anxiety over the possibility that I would be unable to meet the role or the project or the writing. I can get in a little bit of a tailspin. It’s an imposter syndrome thing, I think.”</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/5-Cristin-Milioti_07-822x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88617" width="617" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/5-Cristin-Milioti_07-822x1024.jpg 822w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/5-Cristin-Milioti_07-225x280.jpg 225w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/5-Cristin-Milioti_07-768x957.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/5-Cristin-Milioti_07-1233x1536.jpg 1233w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/5-Cristin-Milioti_07-1644x2048.jpg 1644w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/5-Cristin-Milioti_07-200x249.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/5-Cristin-Milioti_07-800x997.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 617px) 100vw, 617px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Flight &amp; Fight</h3>



<p>Post-Penguin, Cristin Milioti is poised for even higher-profile roles. Leads in the indie horror film Buddy and the FX series Seven Sisters are known to be on the horizon. What makes her so compelling is her refusal to be boxed in. At 40, she is not chasing fame or formulaic roles – she’s chasing stories that challenge her, characters that defy expectations, and projects that blur genre lines.</p>



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<p>Drawn to narratives that explore the human condition in all its messy glory, and gravitating towards brilliant, damaged women fighting for control in chaotic worlds, she does it all with a mix of humour, heartbreak and steel.</p>


A Bird in Hand: After her mesmerising turn in The Penguin, Cristin Milioti’s eclectic career will fly higher and wilder


<p>Once known primarily as a financial powerhouse, Hong Kong has masterfully leveraged its strategic location, world-class infrastructure and cultural ambitions to become an indispensable hub for the global art market. The question is no longer whether Hong Kong belongs on the world art map; it’s how it got there so fast, and what it plans to do next.</p>



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<p>Hong Kong’s rise as an art capital didn’t begin with culture; it began with commerce. Indeed, it was the city’s reputation as a global financial centre that laid the groundwork for its art market dominance. The business case is compelling: Hong Kong offers first-rate logistics, secure storage facilities and proximity to mainland China and Southeast Asia. Its business-friendly policies, tax-free art trade and robust legal framework made it an attractive destination for international galleries, auction houses and collectors alike.</p>



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<p>The city’s connectivity and efficiency make it a natural gateway for art moving across continents. “Hong Kong is where East meets West – not just culturally, but commercially,” says Elaine Kwok, Managing Partner of the Hauser &amp; Wirth gallery in Asia. “It’s the perfect storm of infrastructure, wealth and ambition.”</p>


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<p><strong>Fair Play</strong></p>



<p>When the world’s premier art fair, Art Basel, arrived in Hong Kong in 2013, it marked a seismic shift. This was not only a vote of confidence in Hong Kong’s potential, but also a declaration that the city had arrived. The fair brought international attention, institutional credibility, and a flood of collectors to the city’s shores. Today, Art Basel Hong Kong is a fixture of the global art calendar, drawing thousands of visitors and generating millions of dollars in sales. But its true impact lies in how it catalysed a broader transformation.</p>



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<p>Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Phillips, which had all established their Asia headquarters in Hong Kong, hosted record-breaking sales that rivalled New York and London. In 2022, the Zao Wou-Ki masterpiece 29.09.64 sold for HK$278 million at Christie’s – an auction record for a single painting by the late Chinese-French artist – underscoring the city’s clout and its ability to command top-tier prices.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hub of the Scene</h3>



<p>As well as money, though, a market needs meaning. Hong Kong’s transformation into a cultural hub accelerated with the opening of tM+ art museum in 2021. Often dubbed Asia’s answer to Tate Modern, M+ has emerged as a monumental institution dedicated to visual culture, from contemporary art to architecture and the moving image. When its LED façade lit up the West Kowloon skyline, it signalled a new era for the city.</p>


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<p>Just steps away, the Hong Kong Palace Museum offers a counterpoint – a bastion of Chinese heritage showcasing imperial treasures and classical art. Together, these institutions create a dialogue between past and present, tradition and innovation. They reflect Hong Kong’s dual identity: cosmopolitan yet deeply rooted in history.</p>



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<p>Commercial galleries have also flourished. Blue-chip names like Hauser &amp; Wirth, Gagosian and White Cube have opened sleek spaces in Central, while local galleries such as 10 Chancery Lane, Rossi &amp; Rossi and Kiang Malingue continue to champion regional talent. The result is a layered ecosystem that supports both blockbuster exhibitions and emerging voices. This diversity is essential to sustaining a vibrant art scene.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Market Shift</strong></h3>



<p>But beyond the multimillion-dollar auctions, the glitzy fairs and the swanky galleries, a deeper cultural ecosystem is thriving – one that positions the city as the definitive bridge between Asian art and the world. Hong Kong’s art scene has evolved beyond a marketplace into a movement.</p>



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<p>There is now a conscious effort to move from art hub to home, cultivating a creative culture that is distinctly Hong Kong’s own. This shift is crucial for long-term sustainability and cultural relevance. Thus, the next chapter in the city’s art story isn’t about auctions or architecture, it’s about identity.</p>



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<p>In one facet of this evolution, art spaces are no longer confined to traditional districts. Wong Chuk Hang, once an industrial zone, has become a creative enclave, with warehouses converted into studios and galleries. Sham Shui Po, known for its gritty charm, is attracting curators and artists drawn to its authenticity and affordability. The decentralisation of art is making it more accessible, more democratic and more reflective of the city’s diversity.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/opt-Feature4_Nov2025_Studio-Art_3-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88554" width="768" height="480" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/opt-Feature4_Nov2025_Studio-Art_3-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/opt-Feature4_Nov2025_Studio-Art_3-448x280.jpg 448w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/opt-Feature4_Nov2025_Studio-Art_3-480x300.jpg 480w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/opt-Feature4_Nov2025_Studio-Art_3-768x480.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/opt-Feature4_Nov2025_Studio-Art_3-200x125.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/opt-Feature4_Nov2025_Studio-Art_3-800x500.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/opt-Feature4_Nov2025_Studio-Art_3.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Talent Show</h3>



<p>Spurring the momentum, local artists are gaining visibility on the global stage. Take South Ho, whose haunting photography captures the tension of urban life in Hong Kong. Or Angela Su, who followed her 2022 Venice Biennale debut with a solo exhibition in the US last year.  These artists aren’t just participating in the market, they are shaping its narrative. Their work reflects the complexities of Hong Kong’s social and political landscape, offering perspectives that are both personal and universal.</p>



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<p>Support systems are growing, too. Non-profit spaces like Para Site, Asia Art Archive and Tai Kwun offer residencies, mentorship and experimental programming. These institutions play a vital role in nurturing talent, fostering dialogue and challenging conventions. They provide platforms for risk-taking and innovation, which are essential for artistic growth.</p>



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<p>Education is also part of the equation. Universities and art schools are expanding their programmes, while initiatives like the Jockey Club’s Creative Arts Centre provide resources for young artists. Public art projects and community festivals are engaging broader audiences, breaking down barriers between art and everyday life. The goal is to build not just an art market, but an art culture.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Feature4_Nov2025_Wong-Chuk-Hang_2-1-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88547" width="768" height="480" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Feature4_Nov2025_Wong-Chuk-Hang_2-1-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Feature4_Nov2025_Wong-Chuk-Hang_2-1-448x280.jpg 448w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Feature4_Nov2025_Wong-Chuk-Hang_2-1-480x300.jpg 480w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Feature4_Nov2025_Wong-Chuk-Hang_2-1-768x480.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Feature4_Nov2025_Wong-Chuk-Hang_2-1-200x125.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Feature4_Nov2025_Wong-Chuk-Hang_2-1-800x500.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Feature4_Nov2025_Wong-Chuk-Hang_2-1.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Asian Ascendancy</h3>



<p>Hong Kong’s journey from commercial outpost to cultural powerhouse has been remarkable, but challenges remain. Political shifts have raised questions about artistic freedom, while regional rivals like Seoul, Singapore and Tokyo are vying for influence. Each Asian powerhouse brings its own strengths – Seoul boasts a creative youth culture, Singapore benefits from government-backed infrastructure, and Tokyo builds upon its avant-garde legacy. The competition is fierce, and Hong Kong must continue to innovate to stay ahead.</p>



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<p>Still, Hong Kong’s resilience – and its ability to reinvent itself – is part of its DNA. The city has weathered economic downturns, political upheaval and global pandemics, emerging each time with renewed energy. Its art scene reflects that spirit: adaptive, ambitious and unapologetically bold.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Art of the People</h3>



<p>The city stands at a crossroads. Will it remain the definitive connector between Asian art and the world, or will it forge a unique artistic voice that transcends its market roots? The answer may lie not in its auction houses or museums, but in its studios, alleyways and conversations. It will depend on how well Hong Kong supports its artists, engages its communities, and protects its creative freedoms.</p>



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<p>Technology will also play a role. Digital art, NFTs and virtual exhibitions are reshaping how art is created, shared and sold. Hong Kong’s tech-savvy population and robust digital infrastructure position it well to lead in this space. But the challenge will be to balance innovation with authenticity, and to ensure that digital platforms enhance rather than dilute artistic expression.</p>



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<p>Hong Kong’s story is still unfolding, and its canvas is far from complete. This dynamic and undaunted city certainly possesses the tools, the talent and the tenacity to shape the future of art in Asia and beyond. Hong Kong is still painting, and the collectors, curators and art critics of the world watch on. The picture that is emerging is one of complexity, creativity and connection.</p>


Canvas City: Hong Kong is evolving from a million-dollar art mart into a hub of rich creativity


<p>Oktoberfest is more than just a beer festival – it’s a cultural phenomenon that brings together millions of people across the globe to celebrate Bavarian heritage, music, food and camaraderie. The original event in Munich traditionally runs from late September to early October – it’s glasses down at the Theresienwiese fairgrounds on 5 October this year – yet many international versions extend well beyond that, making it a month-long celebration of joy, tradition and indulgence.</p>



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<p>The first Oktoberfest was held in 1810 to commemorate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen, and the venue in the southwest of Munich was named in the bride’s honour (Therese’s meadow). Münchners were invited to join the festivities, which included horse races, music and beer.</p>



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<p>The event was such a success that it became an annual tradition, evolving into the world’s largest folk festival. Today, Oktoberfest is synonymous with beer tents, lederhosen, dirndls and traditional Bavarian music, but its roots lie in royal celebration and community spirit.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">München Magic</h3>



<p>More than six million visitors are expected to descend upon Theresienwiese for the 190th Munich Oktoberfest, and the Bavarian capital’s rendition remains the gold standard of Oktoberfest celebrations. The fun began on 20 September when the Mayor of Munich, Dieter Reiter, tapped the first keg and declared “O’zapft is!” (It’s tapped). Revellers spill into the 17 large beer tents and 21 smaller tents offering a unique atmosphere and exclusive beers supplied by the city’s ‘big six’ breweries. Bavarian specialities like pretzels and pork knuckle line stomachs awash with beer.</p>



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<p>A traditional costume parade is held on the first Sunday of Oktoberfest, showcasing Bavarian attire, music and floats. Oide Wiesn, a nostalgic area in the southernmost section of the fairgrounds, was introduced in 2010 – two centuries on from the inaugural festival. Providing vintage rides and old-style beer tents, it proved so popular that it was retained.</p>


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<p>While beer is the centrepiece of Oktoberfest, there’s a culture and etiquette to enjoying it respectfully. Only beer brewed within Munich city limits is served, and it is poured into a one-litre glass stein, properly called a maß. When making a toast, it is customary to look your companions in the eye and say “Prost!” But pace yourself – the alcohol content of Munich beers ranges from 5.8% to 6.5% ABV, which is generally higher than those brewed elsewhere.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Best of the Fests</h3>



<p>While the Munich festival wraps up relatively early, many cities around the world host Oktoberfest throughout the month. These events blend local flair with Bavarian tradition, offering a more accessible way to join the fun. Oktoberfest Zinzinnati in Cincinnati, USA, is often hailed as the second-best beer-soaked shindig after the original. It was launched in 1976, and every year, revellers wet their whistles for a weekend in late September at the Ohio riverfront.</p>



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<p>A plethora of Bavarian-themed festivals are held in the US during October. Snowbird Oktoberfest 2025 in Utah kicked off on 9 August and runs over 10 weekends until 12 October. Head there for German food alongside local beers, live music and artisan markets. Leavenworth in Washington state transforms into a Bavarian village over three weekends – 3–4, 10–11 and 17–18 October this year – presenting live music, vendor booths and family-friendly activities.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/5-Feature3_Oct2025_image01.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88346" width="768" height="576" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/5-Feature3_Oct2025_image01.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/5-Feature3_Oct2025_image01-373x280.jpg 373w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/5-Feature3_Oct2025_image01-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/5-Feature3_Oct2025_image01-200x150.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/5-Feature3_Oct2025_image01-800x600.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Bavaria meets the Wild West at Deadwood Oktoberfest in South Dakota, with locals and visitors alike enjoying a PolkaFest, wiener dog (dachshund) races and beer-barrel games from 3-4 October, while Carmel in Indiana hosts a cosy Saturday night festival on 3 October, starring live entertainment and local brews.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Beer Diary</h3>



<p>Over in England, the Yorkshire city of Sheffield presents its lively Oktoberfest party on the 3rd, with Bavarian music, beer and themed décor. Steins of beer, mounds of sausages and musical acts come to Clapham in London from 10-25 October for Oktoberfest on the Common.</p>



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<p>Surprisingly, perhaps, one of the biggest October bashes is held in Blumenau in Brazil, and spans the 8th to the 26th this year. One highlight is a nightly drinking competition, where contestants down, as rapidly as possible, one metre of beer from an elongated tulip glass. Across the Pacific, Brisbane, Australia, and Yokohama, Japan, also get into the annual Oktoberfest swing. Qingdao in China, the home of Tsingtao beer and once a German naval base, holds its annual International Beer Festival in the summer months, rather than October.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2-Feature3_Oct2025_image04.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88342" width="768" height="576" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2-Feature3_Oct2025_image04.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2-Feature3_Oct2025_image04-373x280.jpg 373w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2-Feature3_Oct2025_image04-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2-Feature3_Oct2025_image04-200x150.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2-Feature3_Oct2025_image04-800x600.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Dressing and Grazing</h3>



<p>One of the most beloved aspects of Oktoberfest is the Bavarian national costume; dressing up adds authenticity and fun for those who otherwise might only be there for the beer. In days gone by, how a woman wore her dirndl – a dress with a fitted bodice, full skirt and apron – signalled her relationship status. Tying the apron in a bow on the left side indicated that she was single, and having it on the right meant she was spoken for. Those who wore the bow in the centre were virgins, while widows – and waitresses – tied it at the back. There were no such complexities for those donning lederhosen – leather shorts with suspenders – matched with a checked shirt and alpine hat.</p>



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<p>Oktoberfest is also a culinary delight. Expect hearty, comforting dishes that pair perfectly with beer. Bavarian musts include Weißwurst, a white sausage served with sweet mustard, and grilled Bratwurst sausage in a bun or with sauerkraut, as well as Schweinshaxe (crispy pork knuckle), Brezn (giant soft pretzel) and Kartoffelsalat (German-style potato salad). Save room for Apfelstrudel, warm apple pastry with lashings of vanilla sauce. Vegetarian options like Käsespätzle (cheese spaetzle) and mushroom goulash are increasingly available at the food stalls.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/6-Feature3_Oct2025_image06.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88347" width="768" height="576" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/6-Feature3_Oct2025_image06.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/6-Feature3_Oct2025_image06-373x280.jpg 373w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/6-Feature3_Oct2025_image06-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/6-Feature3_Oct2025_image06-200x150.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/6-Feature3_Oct2025_image06-800x600.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Party On</h3>



<p>Oktoberfest is as much about music as it is about beer. Expect a mix of traditional Bavarian tunes, modern pop and international hits. Oompah bands playing brass instruments, accordion music and polka dancing conjure the spirit of old Europe. Ein Prosit by The Polka Brothers and Sweet Caroline are sing-along classics. Live performances, dance floors and DJ sets are common at festivals outside Bavaria.</p>



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<p>In Munich, the fun extends beyond the beer tents to a full fairground with rides and games for all ages. Hop on the Ferris wheel for a panoramic view, be thrilled by the roller coasters, and get dizzy on the swing carousel. Bumper cars, haunted houses, carnival games, shooting galleries, and children’s areas with rides and crafts round out the attractions.</p>



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<p>A celebration of life, laughter and shared joy, Oktoberfest is exhilarating, but it’s important to stay safe and balanced. Hydrate between beers, eat before drinking to slow alcohol absorption, and travel to the venue by public transport or designated driver. Wear comfortable shoes since you will be standing for hours in the crowds or dancing to the music.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/4-Feature3_Oct2025_image10.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88344" width="768" height="576" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/4-Feature3_Oct2025_image10.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/4-Feature3_Oct2025_image10-373x280.jpg 373w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/4-Feature3_Oct2025_image10-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/4-Feature3_Oct2025_image10-200x150.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/4-Feature3_Oct2025_image10-800x600.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Whether you’re clinking steins in Munich, supping from super-long glasses in Brazil or keg rolling in the US, the spirit of Oktoberfest is universal. It’s a time to embrace tradition, indulge in hearty fare, and connect with others in a festive atmosphere. So don your dirndl or lederhosen, raise your maß high, and join the world in crying: “O’zapft is!”</p>


Barrelsof Laughter:  Raise your stein as the Munich spirit of Oktoberfest spreads global joy


<p>Carlos Alcaraz’s electric US Open triumph over Jannik Sinner last month marked his sixth Grand Slam title and edged him ahead once again in the thrilling battle between the two standout tennis players of the new generation. The consummate champion lost just one set in the whole tournament (to Sinner) and dropped serve only three times.</p>



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<p>Flushing Meadows, New York, holds fond memories for the youthful Alcaraz. It was here, in 2022 at the age of 19, that he claimed his first Grand Slam title, becoming the youngest number-one-ranked player in ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) history. Born in El Palmar in Murcia, Spain, on 5 May 2003, he showed early promise in the sport, training under Juan Carlos Ferrero, himself a former world number one. The teenager’s aggressive playing style, combined with his exceptional speed and tactical intelligence, quickly set him apart from his peers.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Match Set&nbsp;</h3>



<p>His development was shaped by countless hours of training at the Ferrero Tennis Academy in Alicante, where he refined his technique, mental toughness and strategic approach. Unlike many young players who struggle with consistency, Alcaraz displayed a level of maturity that propelled him into the professional ranks with confidence. His ability to adapt to different surfaces has made him a formidable opponent across all tournaments. </p>



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<p>Alcaraz’s journey to becoming a world champion has been marked by record-breaking achievements and memorable matches. When he faced off with Sinner at Roland Garros in June, it was the longest final ever at the Paris tournament, lasting five hours and 29 minutes. This victory in their see-saw contest made him the third-youngest player – behind Bjorn Borg and his compatriot Rafael Nadal – to win five Grand Slam titles; the first player born in the 2000s to claim 20 tour-level titles; and the eighth man in the Open Era to successfully defend the French Open title.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_03_edit_p-820x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88242" width="615" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_03_edit_p-820x1024.jpg 820w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_03_edit_p-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_03_edit_p-768x959.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_03_edit_p-1231x1536.jpg 1231w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_03_edit_p-1641x2048.jpg 1641w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_03_edit_p-200x250.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_03_edit_p-800x999.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Playing to his Strength&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Far from the tallest of modern-day players at six foot (1.83m), Alcaraz excels with a blend of power, precision and athleticism. The right-hander’s ability to switch between aggressive baseline play and delicate net shots makes him unpredictable. He combines heavy topspin, drop shots and volleys seamlessly. His movement around the court is exceptional, allowing him to chase down seemingly unreachable balls.</p>



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<p>His serve is considered his main weakness, but in the US Open final, it blew commentators – and Sinner – away.  He made 61 percent of first serves, committed zero double faults and won a key game in the fourth set with two straight 132 mph (212.4 km/h) aces, among a total of 10 in the match.</p>



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<p>He also exhibits a mental toughness – staying composed under pressure has led to multiple comeback victories, as evidenced against Sinner in Paris this year. Yet, Alcaraz has questioned his own fortitude in this regard. “I’ve taken steps backwards, like I’m not doing well mentally, I’m not strong,” he says. “I don’t know how to control myself when faced with problems and I don’t know how to handle them.” Speaking so openly about his mental health has endeared him to many beyond the confines of his sport.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Grand Slam Elan</h3>



<p>The Alcaraz-Sinner rivalry has become one of the most exciting matchups in modern tennis. Before Flushing Meadows, the 24-year-old Italian had been ranked above the 22-year-old Spaniard as world number one for 65 consecutive weeks. Their epic clashes at the French Open, Wimbledon (which Sinner won) and the US Open this year are testaments to their competitive spirit, with both players pushing each other to the limit.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_04_edit-820x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88243" width="615" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_04_edit-820x1024.jpg 820w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_04_edit-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_04_edit-768x959.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_04_edit-1231x1536.jpg 1231w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_04_edit-1641x2048.jpg 1641w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_04_edit-200x250.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_04_edit-800x999.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px" /></figure></div>


<p>Alcaraz’s back-to-back Wimbledon wins in 2023 and 2024, both against Novak Djokovic, also epitomise his Grand Slam grit, whether on grass, clay or hardcourt. Tennis legends like Andre Agassi have praised his skills, comparing him to Roger Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, the ‘Big Three’ of the past 20 years.</p>



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<p>Alcaraz has already achieved historic milestones, but his career is still in its infancy. He is expected to win many more Grand Slam titles and challenge the records set by the Big Three. He will certainly want to win the Australian Open next year to notch up a Career Grand Slam. “It’s my first goal, to be honest … to complete a Career Grand Slam, Calendar Grand Slam. So it’s going to be great [there],” he enthuses.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Off-Court Appeal</h3>



<p>Beyond tennis, Alcaraz has embraced his role as a global sports ambassador. He has used his platform to promote youth development programmes, supporting young athletes through sponsorships and mentorship. Additionally, he remains deeply connected to his Spanish roots, often visiting local tennis academies to inspire the next generation.</p>



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<p>Last year, he launched the Carlos Alcaraz Garfia Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged children. Following the devastating floods in Valencia last October, the charity provided buses to transport volunteers to the affected areas and held a fundraising auction.</p>



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<p>His humility and grounded personality have made him one of the most admired figures in sports today.  Despite his well-publicised “partying” break in Ibiza after winning the French Open, he is a self-confessed homeboy.  When he isn’t training or touring, Carlitos (little Carlos) – as his family calls him – still lives with his parents in Murcia. “When I finish a tournament, it doesn’t matter if I win or not; I just want to get home to be with my family,” he says. “To them, I am not a big tennis star, just a normal guy.”</p>



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<p>His elder brother Álvaros is part of his entourage, serving as his hitting partner, and his father, who worked as a local tennis coach, often accompanies them, too. He supports Real Madrid, and as a break from tennis, enjoys playing golf and chess.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_06_edit-820x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-88244" width="615" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_06_edit-820x1024.jpg 820w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_06_edit-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_06_edit-768x959.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_06_edit-1231x1536.jpg 1231w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_06_edit-1641x2048.jpg 1641w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_06_edit-200x250.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/opt-Carlos-Alcaraz_06_edit-800x999.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Doubles Entendre</h3>



<p>When Alcaraz committed to a mixed doubles pairing with Britain’s Emma Raducanu at the US Open, it ignited gossip about his love life. Raducanu, who famously won the US singles title in 2021 at age 18, laughed off the notion of any romantic doubles, saying they were just friends.</p>



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<p>Previously, he has been linked with Maria Gonzalez Gimenez, a tennis player in Murcia, and some say, Spanish singer and actor Ana Mena. Before his recent string of on-court conquests, he said: “I’m single, but I’m looking for someone. It can be difficult for a tennis player to meet the right person, because they are always on the move. Who knows what will happen this year?”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Hit Rate</h3>



<p>Many experts believe Alcaraz is the next great champion following the era of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic. His ability to dominate on all surfaces and his aggressive playing style have drawn comparisons to these legends. Nadal has spoken highly of his compatriot, stating that he possesses the mindset and skill set needed to carry Spanish tennis forward. Djokovic, meanwhile, notes that he has the ability to adjust his game in real-time, much like the most successful players in history. </p>



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<p>Alcaraz’s journey from a promising young talent to a world champion has been nothing short of extraordinary. His determination, skill and passion for tennis make him one of the most exciting players to watch. As he continues to break records and inspire future generations, his legacy in the sport is only growing stronger.&nbsp;</p>


Alcaraz Razzmatazz: Charismatic on court, humble off it, Carlos Alcaraz is the tennis world’s dream champion


<p>When Ana de Armas landed in Los Angeles a decade ago, she spoke little English, could barely communicate with her co-stars, and had to recite her lines by rote. Today, she’s the talk of the town and the first Cuban to earn an Academy Award for Best Actress nod. It has been an instinctive rise, and the avenging assassin of Ballerina has the world at her feet.</p>



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<p>Ana Celia de Armas Caso was born on 30 April 1988, in Havana, Cuba, and raised in the small coastal town of Santa Cruz del Norte. Her early years were shaped by the economic hardships of Cuba’s Special Period, yet her imagination flourished. She watched Hollywood films at a neighbour’s house and memorised monologues in front of a mirror, dreaming of a life far beyond the island.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-Ana-De-Armas_03.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87823" width="485" height="605" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-Ana-De-Armas_03.jpg 646w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-Ana-De-Armas_03-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-Ana-De-Armas_03-200x250.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px" /></figure></div>


<p>By age 14, she had successfully auditioned to train at the National Theatre of Havana. Her determination was fierce – she sometimes hitchhiked to classes and filmed three movies while still a student. However, she left the programme early, knowing that Cuban graduates were required to complete three years of community service before being allowed to leave the country. At 18, she made a move to Madrid to chase her dream.</p>



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<p>“I was fortunate to also have Spanish nationality [through her maternal grandparents], and with that freedom, I could come to Spain. I don’t know what I’d have done if I hadn’t had this advantage,” she acknowledges.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-Ana-De-Armas_05.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87824" width="485" height="605" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-Ana-De-Armas_05.jpg 646w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-Ana-De-Armas_05-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-Ana-De-Armas_05-200x250.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px" /></figure></div>


<p>Her luck continued – within weeks of arriving, she met casting director Luis San Narciso and scored a place in hit boarding-school drama series El Internado (2007–2010). Though the show brought her fame in Spain, she felt creatively boxed in and left before its final season, seeking more diverse roles.</p>



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<p>De Armas had appeared in several Spanish films, but by 2014 was ready for a bigger leap. She moved to LA and began intensive English-language lessons. Her first English-speaking role came in Knock Knock (2015), a psychological thriller opposite Keanu Reeves.</p>



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<p>Despite the language barrier, she and Reeves shared a connection. She recalls: “I still managed to … bond with him and show him who I am to him and the kind of artist that I am. And that’s how we created that friendship and how all the other jobs came after.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ana-De-Armas_04-copya-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87846" width="590" height="736" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ana-De-Armas_04-copya-1.jpg 787w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ana-De-Armas_04-copya-1-225x280.jpg 225w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ana-De-Armas_04-copya-1-768x957.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ana-De-Armas_04-copya-1-200x249.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px" /></figure></div>


<p>“I just learned so much from [Keanu] just by watching him. He’s just nonstop. He’s like me: we are perfectionists. We want to do it again and again and again, and it’s never enough. So it is tough to say ‘cut’ when we’re filming.”</p>



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<p>The parts that followed were in War Dogs (2016), Hands of Stone (2016), and Overdrive (2017). But her breakout role was Joi, a holographic AI companion in Blade Runner 2049 (2017), which showcased her emotional depth and screen presence, even in a futuristic, digitally enhanced form.</p>



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<p>Then came Knives Out (2019), Rian Johnson’s modern whodunit. Her performance as a kind-hearted nurse entangled in a wealthy family’s murder mystery was widely praised, earning her a Golden Globe nomination and catapulting her into the A-list. She held her own alongside acting heavyweights like Daniel Craig and Jamie Lee Curtis.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-Ana-De-Armas_02-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87831" width="485" height="605" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-Ana-De-Armas_02-2.jpg 646w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-Ana-De-Armas_02-2-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-Ana-De-Armas_02-2-200x250.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px" /></figure></div>


<p>Her career continued to soar in the early 2020s. She reunited with Craig in No Time to Die (2021), playing a charismatic CIA agent and stealing the scene with her blend of elegance, humour and lethal skill. In Deep Water (2022), she starred opposite Ben Affleck in a tense erotic thriller that blurred the lines between fiction and real life, as the two actors were romantically linked off-screen.</p>



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<p>But it was her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in Blonde (2022), Andrew Dominik’s adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates’ fictionalised novel, that became her most daring and controversial role. “[My] job wasn’t to imitate [Monroe],” she notes. “I was interested in her feelings, her journey, her insecurities, and her voice, in the sense that she didn’t really have one.” The film polarised critics, but her Oscar-nominated performance was acknowledged as fearless and transformative.</p>



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<p>Commenting at the time, she says: “[The nomination] was a reminder of ‘look at the career I’m having, look at all the things I can do. This is exactly what I wanted.’ It’s usually that you are either only an action star … or you are doing indie low-budget films that not many people get to see. … So to be able to manage both sides of it and have it all in my own way, it’s amazing.”</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-ana-de-armas-3840x2160-10679-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87828" width="768" height="480" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-ana-de-armas-3840x2160-10679-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-ana-de-armas-3840x2160-10679-448x280.jpg 448w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-ana-de-armas-3840x2160-10679-480x300.jpg 480w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-ana-de-armas-3840x2160-10679-768x480.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-ana-de-armas-3840x2160-10679-200x125.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-ana-de-armas-3840x2160-10679-800x500.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-ana-de-armas-3840x2160-10679.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Her personal life has often drawn media attention. She was married to Spanish actor Marc Clotet from 2011 to 2013. Following her highly publicised relationship with Affleck, she dated Tinder executive Paul Boukadakis. Rumours swirled this summer about a budding romance with Tom Cruise. Despite the speculation, she remains fiercely private, preferring to let her work speak louder than her personal life.</p>



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<p>De Armas has spoken candidly about the challenges of being a Latina in Hollywood. She’s turned down roles that felt stereotypical and has advocated for more nuanced, authentic representation. Her fluency in both Spanish and English, combined with her global appeal, has made her a bridge between cultures and industries.</p>



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<p>In 2023, she starred in Ghosted, an action-romantic comedy with Chris Evans, and in 2024, appeared in Eden, directed by Ron Howard. This year, she took centre stage in Ballerina, a spin-off from the John Wick universe. As a ballerina-turned-assassin, she brought grace and grit to a role that demanded both physical intensity and emotional complexity.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-Ana-De-Armas_01-copy-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87827" width="768" height="480" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-Ana-De-Armas_01-copy-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-Ana-De-Armas_01-copy-448x280.jpg 448w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-Ana-De-Armas_01-copy-480x300.jpg 480w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-Ana-De-Armas_01-copy-768x480.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-Ana-De-Armas_01-copy-200x125.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-Ana-De-Armas_01-copy-800x500.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-Ana-De-Armas_01-copy.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Beyond the screen, de Armas has become a fashion icon, gracing the covers of Vogue, Elle and Vanity Fair. She’s been the face of luxury brands like Estée Lauder and Louis Vuitton, embodying a blend of classic glamour and modern edge.</p>



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<p>Despite her meteoric rise, she remains grounded. Having bought a home near Woodstock, Vermont, in 2022, she finds tranquillity away from the limelight. “It became a little bit too much,” she says of life in LA. “There’s no escape. There’s no way out. &#8230; It’s always the feeling of something that you don’t have, something missing. It’s a city that keeps you anxious.”</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-ana-de-armas-3840x2160-10679-copy-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87844" width="485" height="605" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-ana-de-armas-3840x2160-10679-copy-2.jpg 646w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-ana-de-armas-3840x2160-10679-copy-2-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/opt-ana-de-armas-3840x2160-10679-copy-2-200x250.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px" /></figure></div>


<p>She frequently visits her family in Cuba and has spoken about the importance of staying connected to her roots. Her brother, Javier Caso, is a photographer and activist based in New York, and the two share a close bond.</p>



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<p>De Armas’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention and relentless ambition. From a small town in Cuba to the heights of Hollywood, she has defied expectations and carved a path uniquely her own. With each role, she continues to surprise audiences, bringing a rare authenticity to every frame. Not just a pretty face or a rising star, she’s a symbol of what’s possible when talent meets tenacity. In a world that often demands conformity, Ana de Armas dares to be unforgettable.</p>


Armas Moment: From Havana’s quiet shores to Hollywood’s bright lights, Ana de Armas mesmerises all


<p>An ancient fortress turned 20th-century urban aberration, the now-demolished Kowloon Walled City has acquired almost dystopian cult status as Hong Kongers look back. The distaste once held for this tiny, unruly hotspot of crime and poverty – a city of darkness – has been replaced in some minds by pride for a shared and distinct past. Beautified into an oasis of calm within the bustling Kowloon City district, the ground upon which the walls once stood remains a tourist attraction, but one of a very different kind.&nbsp;</p>



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<p>Kowloon Walled City began life as an Imperial Chinese military outpost and evolved into a unique geopolitical anomaly. Originally built in the Song dynasty (960–1279) to manage the salt trade, the walled compound nestled in the heart of Kowloon was seen as a defender of colonial encroachment after Hong Kong Island was ceded to the British in 1842.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_07-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87815" width="768" height="480" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_07-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_07-448x280.jpg 448w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_07-480x300.jpg 480w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_07-768x480.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_07-200x125.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_07-800x500.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_07.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>After the 1898 Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory, Britain leased the New Territories but excluded the walled city, leaving it in a legal limbo – claimed by both China and Britain, but governed by neither. This ambiguity laid the groundwork for what would become one of the most densely populated and lawless urban settlements in modern history.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Rise of the Darkness</h3>



<p>By the mid-20th century, Kowloon Walled City had morphed into a vertical labyrinth of interconnected buildings. With no formal oversight, residents constructed haphazard extensions, often without regard for safety or sanitation. At its peak in the late 1980s, it housed an estimated 35,000-plus people in just 2.6 hectares, resulting in a population density of more than 1.2 million per square kilometre.</p>



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<p>The locale became infamous for its lack of regulation. Triad gangs controlled much of the area, and illegal activities such as gambling, prostitution and drug trafficking flourished. A US newspaper reported in 1967 that the “area is neither walled nor is it a city… In reality it is a tiny enclave of sin and filth”.</p>
</div><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="650" height="989" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_03.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87802 size-full" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_03.jpg 650w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_03-184x280.jpg 184w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_03-200x304.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" /></figure></div>



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<p>Yet, despite its reputation, the walled city was also a place of resilience. Families lived side by side, children played on rooftops, and small businesses thrived in the shadows, producing everything from fish balls to plastic toys.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_02-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87799" width="768" height="480" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_02-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_02-448x280.jpg 448w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_02-480x300.jpg 480w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_02-768x480.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_02-200x125.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_02-800x500.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_02.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Life Inside the Maze</h3>



<p>Navigating Kowloon Walled City was like entering another world. Narrow alleyways, often only shoulder-width, twisted through the complex. Electrical wires dangled overhead, sewage dripped from ceilings, and sunlight barely penetrated the dense architecture. Yet, within this chaos, a sense of community prevailed.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_04-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87800" width="768" height="480" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_04-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_04-448x280.jpg 448w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_04-480x300.jpg 480w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_04-768x480.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_04-200x125.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_04-800x500.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City_04.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Its impoverished residents described the compound as a place of mutual support. Neighbours helped each other, shared meals, and created informal networks of care. Despite the lack of formal infrastructure, there were dentists, doctors, schools and even temples operating within the maze.</p>



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<p>One postman who worked there for more than a decade recalled being shocked – literally – by exposed wires while delivering mail. He also remembered rats the size of cats, yet he spoke fondly of the friendships and camaraderie that defined daily life.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Walls Come Tumbling Down</h3>



<p>The boundaries of the original walled city included cannons, a gate and watchtowers. This fortified barrier did not survive the Second World War. It was torn down by the Japanese forces occupying Hong Kong, who used the stone for a runway extension at nearby Kai Tak airport.</p>



<div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="646" height="806" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_03-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87804 size-full" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_03-1.jpg 646w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_03-1-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_03-1-200x250.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 646px) 100vw, 646px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
<p>By the 1980s, the Hong Kong government, in agreement with China, decided that the walled city had to go. The decision was met with mixed emotions. For some, it was a chance to escape the squalor; for others, it meant the loss of a tight-knit community. Demolition began in March 1993 and was completed by April 1994. The process involved relocating thousands of residents and compensating property owners. It was one of the most complex urban clearance operations in Hong Kong’s history.</p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">From Chaos to Calm</h3>



<p>In December 1995, the site was reborn as Kowloon Walled City Park, a tranquil green space that pays homage to its chaotic predecessor. Designed in the style of a Jiangnan garden, the park features winding paths, lotus ponds and traditional Chinese pavilions. It’s a stark contrast to the dense, anarchic city that once stood there.</p>



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<p>Several historical artifacts were preserved, including the original yamen building – the administrative office of the Qing officials – and remnants of the southern gate. These serve as quiet reminders of the site’s layered past.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Redevelopment and Renewal</h3>



<p>Today, Kowloon City is undergoing a new wave of transformation. The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) has launched multiple redevelopment projects aimed at revitalising ageing neighbourhoods while preserving cultural heritage.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_02-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87807" width="768" height="480" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_02-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_02-448x280.jpg 448w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_02-480x300.jpg 480w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_02-768x480.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_02-200x125.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_02-800x500.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_02.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>One of the most ambitious involves the redevelopment of low- to mid-rise buildings dating back more than 55 years along Ma Tau Wai Road and Lok Shan Road. The initiative began in August last year and will integrate modern urban planning with community needs, promising improved connectivity, pedestrian-friendly spaces and enhanced infrastructure. The project will yield more than 230 new flats and commercial spaces, with completion expected by 2033.</p>



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<p>The redevelopment also includes plans for an underground shopping street, improved access to To Kwa Wan MTR station, and shared vehicular routes to minimise traffic disruption. The URA emphasises a “planning-led, district-based” approach, aiming to create a more liveable and sustainable urban environment.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_05-2-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87806" width="768" height="480" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_05-2-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_05-2-448x280.jpg 448w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_05-2-480x300.jpg 480w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_05-2-768x480.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_05-2-200x125.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_05-2-800x500.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_05-2.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Memory vs Modernity</h3>



<p>The transformation of Kowloon Walled City into a park and the surrounding redevelopment projects reflect Hong Kong’s broader struggle between preserving memory and embracing modernity. While the lawless enclave is gone, its legacy lives on in photographs, documentaries, and the stories of former residents.</p>



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<p>Whether realistically or romantically, the walled city spirit has also been captured in a succession of popular Hong Kong movies, including last year’s Best Film, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In. This award-winning adaptation of the manhua (Chinese-language comic) City of Darkness focuses on crime lords operating within the city walls in the 1980s. The gangster movie Long Arm of the Law (1984) was shot inside the walled city during this period, and Jackie Chan’s Crime Story, filmed in 1993, includes scenes of actual building explosions during the enclave’s demolition.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/jiulongchengzhai-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87810" width="768" height="480" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/jiulongchengzhai-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/jiulongchengzhai-448x280.jpg 448w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/jiulongchengzhai-480x300.jpg 480w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/jiulongchengzhai-768x480.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/jiulongchengzhai-200x125.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/jiulongchengzhai-800x500.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/jiulongchengzhai.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Internationally, Jean-Claude Van Damme entered the walled city for a martial arts tournament in Bloodsport (1988), and its reputation for shady lawlessness entered the pages of spy fiction, courtesy of Jason Bourne (Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Supremacy, penned in 1986). For a factual account of the walled city’s woes, Christian missionary Jackie Pullinger described encounters with resident drug addicts in her 1989 memoir, Crack in the Wall.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tale of Two Cities</h3>



<p>Architects and urban historians continue to study the walled city as a case of organic urbanism – where necessity, not regulation, shaped the built environment. It’s a reminder that cities are not just collections of buildings, but living organisms shaped by the people who inhabit them.</p>



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<p>Kowloon Walled City was a paradox: chaotic yet communal, lawless yet lively. Its demolition marked the end of an era, but its essence endures in the park that replaced it and the memories of those who called it home.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_01-1-1024x640.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87809" width="768" height="480" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_01-1-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_01-1-448x280.jpg 448w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_01-1-480x300.jpg 480w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_01-1-768x480.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_01-1-200x125.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_01-1-800x500.jpg 800w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kowloon-Walled-City-Park_01-1.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>As Kowloon City continues to evolve, the challenge lies in balancing development with remembrance. The new city may be cleaner, safer and more efficient, but the old city, in all its gritty glory, remains unforgettable.</p>



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Call of the Walls: Flowers have replaced Kowloon Walled City’s darkness, yet a sense of loss lingers


<p>In a tale of two champions, the 2025 Wimbledon Championships concluded with unforgettable singles finals that showcased the very best of tennis. On the hallowed grass of Centre Court in southwest London, Jannik Sinner and Iga Świątek etched their names into history, each delivering performances that will be remembered for years to come.</p>



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<p>World number-one Sinner faced off against two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s final on 13 July. This clash of titans was a rematch of their epic French Open final the previous month, where Alcaraz had prevailed in five sets. This time, Sinner was determined to flip the script.</p>



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<p>His Spanish opponent started strong, taking the first set 6–4 with aggressive baseline play and a blistering 140 mph (225 km/h) serve. But the Italian adjusted his tactics in the second set, opting for more forehand winners and varying his serve placement. The shift paid off as he broke Alcaraz early and held serve to level the match.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sinner Set Piece</h3>



<p>From there, Sinner took control. He broke Alcaraz at key moments in the third and fourth sets, using deep returns and precise net play to keep him off balance. Alcaraz had a double break opportunity in the final set, but Sinner held firm, delivering powerful forehands to fend off the threat.</p>



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<p>Sinner’s strategy was clear: shorten rallies, attack second serves, and avoid letting Alcaraz dictate play. His serve variety and court positioning were impeccable, while his mental resilience was also on full display, especially after losing the first set.</p>


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<p>This victory over his great rival will have tasted particularly sweet, giving him a fourth Grand Slam title and the second of the year.&nbsp; Sinner, who turns 24 this month, is the first Italian man to win Wimbledon. He also joins an elite group as the youngest player to reach four consecutive Grand Slam finals – the US, Australian and French Opens, and Wimbledon – since 1968, when professional players were allowed to compete in the top tournaments.</p>



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<p>Sinner’s triumph was not just a personal milestone, it was a statement that the balance of power in men’s tennis is shifting. It snapped Alcaraz’s 20-match Wimbledon winning streak and 24-match unbeaten run across all events, marking the 22-year-old’s first loss in a Grand Slam final.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Aces in the Pole</h3>



<p>The day before, Iga Świątek delivered a masterclass in dominance, defeating Amanda Anisimova in the women’s singles final in a rare and emphatic score of 6–0, 6–0. Hailed as the ‘Queen of Clay’ and already a five-time Grand Slam champion, Świątek was chasing her first Wimbledon title, and her first Tour-level triumph on grass.</p>



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<p>Anisimova, ranked only fifth among the US women players, had stunned world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals and was playing in her first major final. But nerves and inexperience showed as the Polish player took control from the first point.</p>


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<p>Świątek’s performance was near-flawless. She hit deep, angled shots that kept Anisimova scrambling, and her serve was both powerful and precise. The American struggled to find rhythm, committing numerous unforced errors and failing to hold serve even once. In stark comparison, Świątek limited her own errors and played with surgical precision. Her court coverage and anticipation were unmatched, and she never allowed her opponent to settle.</p>



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<p>The Pole was ranked only eighth in the world going into the tournament, though she had previously held top spot, having being undefeated in 37 consecutive matches from early 2022. Her Wimbledon win was not just dominant, it was symbolic. It marked her return to form, and her evolution from clay and hardcourt specialist to a true all-surface champion. Świątek’s ability to adapt her game to grass courts speaks volumes about her versatility and ambition.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Prize &amp; Prestige</h3>



<p>Her double-bagel women’s singles championship win was only the second in Wimbledon’s 138-year history. It sees her joiningSteffi Graf as one of the few players in the modern era to triumph 6-0, 6-0 in a major final. In contrast to the men’s battle, which lasted three hours and four minutes, the women’s singles was decided in just 57 minutes.</p>



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<p>Both champions earned £3 million (HK$31.7 million) for their victories, continuing the Grand Slam tradition of equal prize money for men and women; Wimbledon, in fact, was the last of the quartet, in 2007, to convert to a gender-equality reward.</p>


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<p>Runner-ups Alcaraz and Anisimova took home £1.52 million each of a total purse that reached a record £53.5 million, reflecting the tournament’s status as the most lucrative tennis Grand Slam.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Break Point</h3>



<p>Wimbledon 2025 felt like a turning point in tennis. With Novak Djokovic and Sabalenka both falling in the semi-finals, the finals represented a new generation of champions. Sinner is now the face of men’s tennis, with a game that blends power, finesse and mental toughness, while Świątek, also 24, has cemented her status as the most dominant woman of her era, with titles on clay, hardcourt and now grass.</p>



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<p>Their victories signal a shift away from the old guard toward a future defined by adaptability, athleticism and global appeal. Social media exploded with praise for both champions. Sinner’s win was hailed as “revenge served cold” after his French Open loss, while Świątek’s double bagel drew comparisons to Serena Williams and Graf.</p>


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<p>This year’s winners also have a less positive note in common – they both received short suspensions for doping violations within the past 12 months. Traces of banned substances were found during routine tests, but tennis authorities judged that these were the result of contaminated medications, not an intent by the players to enhance their performances. Sinner remarked after his match that he and Świątek would perhaps savour their victories even more after the difficult times they had endured.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Finals Flourish</h3>



<p>Tennis fans celebrated the sportsmanship, intensity and elegance of both finals. The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club’s decision to switch up the order of play this year paid dividends. The two singles championship matches were moved to 4 pm local time to suit TV audiences, particularly in the US, where they aired at 11 am EST. The scheduling change also gave greater visibility to the doubles finals, which were played earlier in the day, ensuring packed stands and higher viewership.</p>



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<p>Despite a couple of notable glitches, the installation of modern electronic line calling to replace the traditional line umpires also received positive feedback. Some customs giving Wimbledon its refined and quintessential British edge over other major tournaments happily remain, though. The all-white tennis wear, the generally genteel spectators, and the popping of Champagne corks – even mid-match in the men’s final – bestow an unbeatable charm.&nbsp;</p>


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<p>Wimbledon 2025 delivered two finals that couldn’t have been more different – one a tactical four-set battle, the other a swift and stunning shutout. Yet both were united by excellence, determination, and the emergence of champions who are redefining tennis. As the grass courts of SW19 return to silence, the echoes of their victories will linger. And with play to be called shortly at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York’s Flushing Meadows, the tennis world waits to see what these champions will do next.</p>


Court of Appeal: Sinner and Świątek serve up a feast while redefining tennis at a very watchable Wimbledon


<p>Brad Pitt has long been Hollywood’s golden boy – equal parts heartthrob, chameleon and cinematic daredevil. But in 2025, he’s not just basking in legacy; he’s redefining it. With F1: The Movie, which sped into cinemas earlier this summer, Pitt trades red carpets for racetracks as a washed-up Formula One driver clawing his way back into the sport. It’s a role that demands grit, vulnerability and velocity – and the actor delivers all three with the kind of swagger only he can summon.</p>



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<p>Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), F1 is a high-octane sports drama that’s part redemption arc, part adrenaline rush. Pitt’s character, Sonny Hayes, is a former racing prodigy whose career was derailed by a catastrophic crash in the 1990s. Decades later, he’s lured back into the cockpit to help save a struggling team from collapse. The film is packed with real-life Grand Prix footage, cameos from actual Formula One drivers, and a soundtrack that pulses with Hans Zimmer’s signature intensity.</p>



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<p>But it’s Pitt’s performance that anchors the spectacle. He’s not just playing a racer, he’s embodying a man haunted by past glory, driven by unfinished business, and learning to trust again. Whether he’s trading barbs with his rookie teammate (played by Snowfall’s Damson Idris) or locking eyes with Kerry Condon’s steely technical director, Pitt brings a weathered charisma that’s impossible to ignore.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Drive for Realism</h3>



<p>What makes F1 more than just another sports flick is its authenticity. Filmed during actual Grand Prix weekends across 2023 and 2024, the movie features real tracks, real teams and real tension. Pitt didn’t just act, he trained. With guidance from Mercedes AMG and Lewis Hamilton (who also co-produced the film), the actor drove modified Formula Two cars designed to mimic Formula One machines.</p>



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<p>The production team went all in, converting six Formula Two cars into camera-ready racers with 15 built-in mounts. The result? Racing sequences that feel visceral, cinematic, and surprisingly grounded. Kosinski’s direction leans into realism, capturing the chaos of pit stops, the precision of overtakes, and the emotional stakes of every lap.</p>



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<p>&nbsp;“It’s undeniable [that we are driving the cars]; we’re not sitting on a sound stage with wind machines,” says F1’s star, hailing the filming as “one of the most extraordinary experiences I’ve had”. He enthuses: “I’ve been trying to get a racing movie done for 20 years. I’ve tried bikes, I’ve tried cars, I’ve tried different disciplines, and for whatever reason, they never came to fruition. [We wanted] to make the most realistic racing movie we’ve seen to date, and I think that’s what we’ve done.”</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Pitt Never Stops</h3>



<p>For the actor, F1 isn’t just another notch on his filmography; it’s a statement. At 61, Pitt’s proving that reinvention isn’t reserved for newcomers. His career has spanned decades and multiple award nominations, from the film that got him noticed, Thelma &amp; Louise (1991), to Fight Club (1999), Inglourious Basterds (2009) and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), which secure d his best-supporting-actor Oscar win. He’s played assassins, astronauts and ageing stuntmen, but F1 taps into something deeper: the idea that greatness isn’t static; it evolves.</p>



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<p>Sonny Hayes is a man out of time, trying to adapt to a sport that’s left him behind. Pitt, too, is navigating a Hollywood landscape that’s increasingly obsessed with youth and novelty. Yet he remains relevant – not by chasing trends, but by choosing roles that challenge him. F1 is a metaphor for that journey: a comeback story that mirrors Pitt’s own refusal to coast.</p>



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<p>He says: “Man, I’ve been doing this for a while and was wondering: Do I have more stories to tell? Do I have anything to add to this? Is there still any excitement I can find from this? [This film] just reinvigorated the whole thing again for me.”</p>



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<p>He plays Sonny with a quiet ache, a man who’s lost more than he lets on and who’s terrified of losing again. This emotional depth is what elevates F1 beyond the genre. It’s not just about speed, it’s about healing. Pitt’s ability to toggle between bravado and brokenness is what makes Sonny believable. He’s not invincible; he’s human. And that humanity is what keeps audiences invested.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Life Beyond the Limelight</h3>



<p>Brad Pitt’s star power is undeniable, but it’s his versatility that keeps him interesting. He’s not afraid to get messy, to play flawed characters, to let the audience see the cracks. In F1, he’s not the fastest or the flashiest, but he’s the most determined – and that determination resonates.</p>



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<p>Off-screen, Pitt has embraced a quieter life of late, especially after his high-profile separation from Angelina Jolie in 2016. He’s focused on producing through his company, Plan B Entertainment, which he and his first wife, Jennifer Aniston, co-founded back in 2001. 12 Years a Slave (2013), which earned him a producer’s Academy Award for Best Picture; The Big Short (2015); and Moonlight (2016) number among the critically acclaimed films he has backed.</p>



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<p>He’s also delved into architecture – in an interview in 2008, he called acting his career and architecture his passion – exhibited his sculptures, and poured his heart into winemaking – the celebrated rosé of Château Miraval. Romantically, he appears at peace with jewellery executive Ines de Ramon. But when he returns to acting, it’s with purpose.</p>



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<p>F1 is already being hailed as one of the year’s biggest blockbusters, grossing more than US$395 million worldwide. Critics have praised its visuals, its pacing, and Pitt’s performance. Some Formula One purists have nitpicked the racing accuracy, but most agree that it’s a thrilling ride. And for Pitt, it’s another feather in a cap that’s already overflowing.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/opt-brad-pitt-as-sonny-5120x2880-21920-820x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87478" width="615" height="768" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/opt-brad-pitt-as-sonny-5120x2880-21920-820x1024.jpg 820w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/opt-brad-pitt-as-sonny-5120x2880-21920-224x280.jpg 224w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/opt-brad-pitt-as-sonny-5120x2880-21920-768x959.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/opt-brad-pitt-as-sonny-5120x2880-21920-1231x1536.jpg 1231w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/opt-brad-pitt-as-sonny-5120x2880-21920-1641x2048.jpg 1641w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/opt-brad-pitt-as-sonny-5120x2880-21920-200x250.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/opt-brad-pitt-as-sonny-5120x2880-21920-800x999.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Lap of Fame</h3>



<p>His portrayal of Sonny Hayes may not win him another Oscar, but it cements his status as an actor who still has something to say. He’s not cruising by on charm; he’s pushing boundaries. A 30-year superstar of the silver screen, Pitt could have played it safe and leaned into nostalgia. Instead, he chose to race forward, literally and figuratively. And in a landscape where many stars fade, he continues to shine.</p>



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<p>“You get to my age and see how important it is to surround yourself with the people you know, the people you love, the people that love you back,” he says. “Friends, family and that’s it. From there, we get to go make things. It’s a pretty simple … equation.”</p>



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<p>As Sonny Hayes crosses the finish line – spoiler alert – victorious and vindicated, it’s hard not to see Pitt in the same light. He’s a man who’s weathered storms, embraced change and come out stronger. And in F1, he’s not just acting – he’s accelerating.</p>


Fast & Glorious: With F1, Brad Pitt keeps fans’ hearts racing while reigniting his thrill for the ride


<p>Rooted in community and arising from crisis, the Cheung Chau Bun Festival is one of Hong Kong’s most unique and vibrant cultural celebrations. Held annually on the island of Cheung Chau, this Taoist fiesta is steeped in centuries-old traditions, spiritual symbolism and a fascinating origin story that blends folklore with historical adversity.</p>



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<p>The bun festival traces back to the late Qing dynasty when Cheung Chau was a modest fishing village often beset with piracy and disease. According to local legend, a devastating plague swept through the island in 1777. Desperate for relief, the Hailufeng people, who had settled here from Guangdong, invoked the protection of Pak Tai, the Taoist deity associated with the sea and natural disasters. They brought a statue of the god to the island and paraded it through the streets in a ritual meant to exorcise evil spirits and restore peace.</p>



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<p>Miraculously, the plague subsided. In gratitude, the villagers began holding annual ceremonies to honour Pak Tai, which evolved into the elaborate festival we see today. Over time, the spectacle also absorbed elements from other Chinese folk traditions, including rituals to appease wandering spirits and protect the island from future misfortunes.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1-Cheung-Chau_04-1024x677.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87352" width="768" height="508" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1-Cheung-Chau_04-1024x677.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1-Cheung-Chau_04-424x280.jpg 424w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1-Cheung-Chau_04-768x508.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1-Cheung-Chau_04-1536x1015.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1-Cheung-Chau_04-2048x1354.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1-Cheung-Chau_04-200x132.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1-Cheung-Chau_04-800x529.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sacrifice for Peace</h3>



<p>Cheung Chau’s famous bun scramble up a bamboo tower is part of a broader Taoist celebration known as the Da Jiu Festival, or Tai Ping Ching Chiu in Cantonese, which translates to the ‘Purest Sacrifice for Great Peace’. These festivals are held in various rural communities across southern China and Hong Kong, often to mark the end of a calamity or to seek divine blessings for peace and prosperity.</p>



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<p>In Cheung Chau, the Da Jiu Festival spans several days in the fourth month of the Lunar Calendar – typically early May – and includes a series of religious rites, processions and performances. Central to the celebration is the construction of a temporary bamboo shrine near the island’s Pak Tai Temple. Offerings are made and rituals performed to honour the gods and drive away malevolent forces.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Pure of Body</h3>



<p>One of the most distinctive features of the Cheung Chau Bun Festival is the observance of vegetarianism. For three days during the festival, the entire island abstains from meat. Locals snack on put chai ko, a steamed pudding cake sold by street vendors, and eschew the seafood splurges for which the island is known. Vegetarian options like lo bak go, or turnip cake, replace the usual street-food delights of fish balls and har gow (shrimp dumplings). Even fast-food chains like McDonald’s adapt by serving mushroom rather than meat burgers.</p>



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<p>This practice is rooted in Taoist beliefs about purification and spiritual harmony. By adopting a vegetarian diet, participants symbolically cleanse themselves and the community, creating a more auspicious environment for the gods to bless.</p>



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<p>Another food favourite are the steamed buns that give the festival its catchy name. Every year, tens of thousands of sweet buns filled with lotus seed, red bean paste or sesame are made. Seen as offerings that will placate angry spirits, they are stamped with the Chinese characters for ‘ping an’, meaning peace.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2-cheung-chau-bun-festival-1024x685.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87353" width="768" height="514" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2-cheung-chau-bun-festival-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2-cheung-chau-bun-festival-418x280.jpg 418w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2-cheung-chau-bun-festival-768x514.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2-cheung-chau-bun-festival-1536x1028.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2-cheung-chau-bun-festival-2048x1371.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2-cheung-chau-bun-festival-200x134.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2-cheung-chau-bun-festival-800x536.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Children of the Gods</h3>



<p>Among the most iconic spectacles of the festival is the Piu Sik, or Floating Colours Parade, when children dressed as mythological figures, historical heroes and modern icons are hoisted onto hidden platforms, giving the illusion that they are floating through the air. These ‘living deities’ are paraded through the streets in a vibrant procession accompanied by lion dances, drumming troupes and costumed performers.</p>



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<p>The parade is both a spiritual ritual and a community celebration. It reenacts the original procession of Pak Tai that saved the island, while also showcasing the creativity and cultural pride of Cheung Chau’s residents.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Scramble for Success</h3>



<p>The festival’s most thrilling event is the bun-snatching competition, held at midnight on the final day. Traditionally, three towering bamboo structures, each about 60-feet-tall, were erected and covered with thousands of white steamed buns. Competitors raced to climb the towers and grab as many buns as possible, with those at the top considered the most auspicious.</p>



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<p>Historically, the buns were believed to bring good luck and protection. The higher the bun, the greater the fortune. However, the competition was suspended for decades after the customary frenzied scramble to the top caused the structure to collapse in 1978, injuring some 100 people.</p>



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<p>By popular demand, the tradition was revived in 2005 with enhanced safety measures, and it remains a highlight of the festival. For the past 20 years, a limited number of experienced climbers have scaled a single steel-reinforced bamboo tower to snatch what are now plastic buns rather than the fragrant treats of yesteryear.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/3-Cheung-Chau_03-1024x677.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87354" width="768" height="508" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/3-Cheung-Chau_03-1024x677.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/3-Cheung-Chau_03-424x280.jpg 424w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/3-Cheung-Chau_03-768x508.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/3-Cheung-Chau_03-1536x1015.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/3-Cheung-Chau_03-2048x1354.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/3-Cheung-Chau_03-200x132.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/3-Cheung-Chau_03-800x529.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Warrior Worship</h3>



<p>Pak Tai, the Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven, is the central figure of the festival and the patron deity of Cheung Chau. The Pak Tai temple, built in 1783, is one of the oldest and most important religious sites on the island. During the festival, it becomes the spiritual heart of the celebration, drawing worshippers from across Hong Kong and beyond.</p>



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<p>Revered for his power to vanquish evil and restore order, Pak Tai is often depicted as a warrior god standing on a tortoise and serpent – symbols of evil he has conquered. His presence in the festival underscores the themes of protection, purification and renewal that define the event.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Weaving Past and Present</h3>



<p>The Cheung Chau Bun Festival is more than just a religious observance; it is a living testament to Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage. In 2011, it was officially inscribed on the city’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in recognition of its historical, artistic and communal value.</p>



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<p>The festival also serves as a powerful symbol of local identity. Despite the rapid modernisation of Hong Kong, Cheung Chau has preserved its traditions with remarkable fidelity. The festival draws tens of thousands of visitors each year, including tourists, scholars and cultural enthusiasts eager to witness its unique blend of spirituality and spectacle.</p>



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<p>In recent years, the Cheung Chau Bun Festival has gained international attention, featuring in travel documentaries, cultural exhibitions and academic studies. Its colourful visuals and dramatic rituals make it a favourite subject for photographers and filmmakers.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/4-Blick_uber_Cheung_Chau-1024x680.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87355" width="768" height="510" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/4-Blick_uber_Cheung_Chau-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/4-Blick_uber_Cheung_Chau-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/4-Blick_uber_Cheung_Chau-768x510.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/4-Blick_uber_Cheung_Chau-1536x1021.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/4-Blick_uber_Cheung_Chau-2048x1361.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/4-Blick_uber_Cheung_Chau-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/4-Blick_uber_Cheung_Chau-800x532.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Scaling Modern Change</h3>



<p>However, the festival also faces challenges. The increasing commercialisation of the event has raised concerns about its authenticity. Some locals worry that the spiritual essence of the festival is being overshadowed by tourism and media hype. Additionally, environmental concerns have prompted calls for more sustainable practices, such as reducing waste from bun packaging and parade materials.</p>



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<p>Despite these challenges, the annual Cheung Chau Bun Festival remains a vibrant and evolving tradition. It continues to serve its original purpose, bringing the community together in a shared act of remembrance, gratitude and hope.</p>



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<p>From its humble beginnings as a plague-averting ritual to its current status as a cultural landmark, the festival embodies the resilience and creativity of the Cheung Chau people. It is a celebration of life, a tribute to the divine, and a reminder that even in the face of adversity, communities can find strength in tradition.</p>


Bun Rites: Faith, folklore and a frenzied scramble to the top characterise Cheung Chau’s Da Jiu Festival


<p>In an increasingly interconnected world, cultural exchange programmes have emerged as vital mechanisms for fostering understanding, tolerance and friendship among people from diverse backgrounds. These schemes encompass allow individuals to share their cultural heritage, traditions and values while learning about those of others. Whether facilitated by educational institutions, government agencies or non-profit organisations, cultural exchange offers profound opportunities for personal growth as well as broader societal benefits, impacting participants and communities alike.</p>



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<p>At the heart of such exchange programmes is the goal of promoting cultural understanding. By providing individuals with the opportunity to immerse themselves in another culture, they foster curiosity, empathy and appreciation for diversity. Participants can experience firsthand a wealth of traditions, languages, food and customs that may differ vastly from their own. This direct immersion in another country and its culture helps to dispel stereotypes and prejudices, cultivating a sense of respect for varying perspectives and ways of life.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Citizens of the World</h3>



<p>In today’s globalised society, the concept of citizenship extends beyond national borders. Cultural exchange programmes encourage participants to think critically about their roles as global citizens. They provide a platform for individuals to engage with global issues such as poverty, inequality, environmental challenges and human rights. By interacting with people from different backgrounds, participants gain a more nuanced understanding of global challenges and are often inspired to take action, promoting social justice and progress.</p>



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<p>Language is a crucial aspect of culture, and cultural exchange activities often provide participants with the opportunity to improve their language skills. Whether learning a new language or refining existing proficiency, individuals can practise conversational skills in real-world scenarios, enhancing their linguistic competence. This language immersion is particularly effective as it allows learners to engage in genuine communication with native speakers, fostering deeper connections and understanding.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_02_p-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87251" width="768" height="512" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_02_p-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_02_p-420x280.jpg 420w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_02_p-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_02_p-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_02_p-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_02_p-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_02_p-800x533.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>Cultural exchange programmes often result in lasting friendships and relationships that transcend geographical boundaries. When participants share experiences, challenges and laughter, they build connections that can lead to lifelong friendships. These relationships not only enrich the lives of individuals but also cultivate networks of cross-cultural communication, understanding and collaboration. Such relationships can play a vital role in mitigating conflicts and fostering peace in a global society.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Learn and Grow</h3>



<p>Cultural exchange programmes come in various formats, each tailored to meet specific objectives and audiences. Student exchange is perhaps the most common type, allowing youngsters to study abroad, typically for a semester or academic year. During this time, students attend courses at local schools or universities, live with host families, and engage in cultural activities.</p>



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<p>These programmes provide a unique opportunity for students to experience a new education system, develop language skills, and form relationships with peers from different cultures. Leading examples of such initiatives in the US are the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study programme, which welcomes teens from countries as diverse as Albania, Ghana, Kuwait and Indonesia to American high schools, and the Rotary Youth Exchange, enabling 15- to 19-year-olds to spend an academic year in one of more than 100 countries.</p>



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<p>Many organisations offer work and volunteer exchange programmes that enable individuals to contribute their skills in a foreign context while experiencing a new culture. Participants may be employed in the likes of education, healthcare, environmental conservation or community development. WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms), for instance, delivers sustainable agriculture experience on the land in various parts of North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia, while the Workaway platform arranges volunteering, working holidays and housesitting stints in some 170 countries. Such exchanges allow participants to gain practical experience while immersing themselves in local communities.</p>



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<p>The US Consulate General offers an International Visitor Leadership Program for promising professionals in Hong Kong and Macau, enabling them to develop lasting relationships with their American and global counterparts while on short-term visits to the US.</p>


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_04_p-1024x669.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87252" width="768" height="502" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_04_p-1024x669.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_04_p-429x280.jpg 429w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_04_p-768x502.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_04_p-1536x1003.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_04_p-2048x1337.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_04_p-200x131.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_04_p-800x522.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Artistic Diversity</h3>



<p>Cultural exchange extends beyond language and academics; it also encompasses the arts. Artists, musicians and performers can engage in programmes that promote cross-cultural dialogue through artistic expression. Professional artists with more than seven years’ experience, for example, can apply for a Fulbright US Scholar Program award and showcase their skills overseas.</p>



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<p>Similarly, the Arts Envoy Program aims to share the best of the US arts community with the world, and American Music Abroad sends cultural ambassadors on two- or three-week multi-country tours. Elsewhere, various international arts festivals encourage artists to collaborate, share their craft, and foster intercultural understanding through creative endeavours.</p>



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<p>Educators can spread their expertise through teacher exchange schemes designed to promote professional development, cultural understanding and educational collaboration. These programmes allow teachers to share best practices, learn about new curricula, and gain insights into different educational systems.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Building Communities</h3>



<p>Community-based initiatives focus on grassroots efforts to promote cross-cultural understanding at the local level. These often bring together diverse communities to engage in dialogue, cooperative projects and cultural events. Organisations like the US Peace Corps and Volunteer Action for Peace in the UK, or charities such as Habitat for Humanity run programmes that encourage cultural exchange within communities, facilitating interactions that foster mutual respect and understanding.</p>



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<p>Cultural exchange can be a transformative experience for participants, often resulting in significant personal growth. Many individuals return home with enhanced self-awareness, confidence and adaptability. Navigating new environments, customs and social norms encourages participants to step outside their comfort zones, cultivating skills that are valuable in both personal and professional contexts.</p>



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<p>While the immediate impact of cultural exchange programmes is often felt on a personal level, the ripple effects extend to communities and societies. As participants bring their experiences and knowledge back home, they can contribute to building more inclusive and understanding communities. Cultural exchange engenders a sense of curiosity and openness towards diversity, fostering a society more able to embrace change and innovation.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_05_p-1024x575.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-87253" width="768" height="431" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_05_p-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_05_p-499x280.jpg 499w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_05_p-768x431.jpg 768w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_05_p-1536x862.jpg 1536w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_05_p-2048x1150.jpg 2048w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_05_p-200x112.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/opt-Culural-Exchange_05_p-800x449.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bridging Divides</h3>



<p>Cultural exchange programmes can play a crucial role in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. When individuals from conflicting backgrounds come together through these initiatives, they often find common ground and shared interests. Dialogue facilitated through cultural exchange can help break down historical animosities and promote reconciliation.</p>



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<p>The Seeds of Peace programme, for example, brings together youth from regions with a history of conflict. Serving as an example of how cultural exchange can bridge divides, its alumni – now numbering more than 8,000 young people residing the Middle East, South Asia, Europe and the US – are strategically positioned to lead change and the charge toward a more inclusive world.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Cultural Sensitivity</h3>



<p>Despite their many benefits, cultural exchange programmes also face challenges that require careful consideration. Issues such as cultural insensitivity, tokenism and unequal power dynamics can arise if these initiatives are not thoughtfully designed and implemented. It is essential for organisations and institutions to ensure that cultural exchange activities are equitable, respectful and genuinely inclusive, prioritising the voices and needs of local communities.</p>



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<p>Additionally, sustainability is a key concern. As cultural exchange programmes grow, ensuring they do not inadvertently contribute to cultural commodification or exploitation is vital. Initiatives should focus on fostering authentic connections rather than superficial encounters.</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">A More Inclusive Future</h3>



<p>As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the need for cultural exchange will only become more pressing. Innovations in technology and communication will continue to shape how these immersions are delivered. Online exchanges and virtual programmes have emerged, which can complement traditional in-person exchanges while broadening accessibility.</p>



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<p>Moreover, as global challenges such as climate change, migration and social inequality demand collaborative solutions, cultural exchange can serve as essential platforms for dialogue, cooperation and innovation. By bringing diverse perspectives to the table, such schemes can contribute to developing holistic, sustainable solutions.</p>



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<p>As we move forward, prioritising and expanding cultural exchange initiatives will be essential in addressing the challenges of our time and building a more inclusive global future. Ultimately, fostering understanding and collaboration through cultural exchange is not just a noble endeavour; it is a necessity for a harmonious coexistence in our increasingly interconnected world.</p>


Peace Movement: Crossing continents on a cultural exchange programme is a major step towards a more inclusive world


<p>The willingness of a collector to snap up Shakespeare’s Four Folios ahead of an auction scheduled this May in London speaks volumes for the insatiable appetite that remains for the English playwright’s extraordinary output and legacy today, more than 400 years after his death. Given media speculation that this rare suite of the Bard’s published works would prompt bids of up to £4.5 million (HK$48 million), the price offered privately and accepted by the seller is likely to be astronomical.</p>



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<p>It is highly unusual for all four Shakespeare Folios to appear on the market as a single lot. The last time this happened was in 1989, when Sotheby’s – which also handled the recent sale ¬– auctioned a set in New York for US$2 million (HK$15.7 million). Titled <em>Mr William Shakespeares </em>[sic]<em> Comedies, Histories &amp; Tragedies</em>, the First Folio was published in 1623, seven years after his death at the behest of two of his friends. The book contained 36 plays and had an initial print-run of about 750 copies; three further editions were released between 1632 and 1685.</p>


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<p>According to the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Bard of Avon penned a total of 38 plays, including collaborations with other writers. The first,<em> The Taming of the Shrew</em>, is believed to have been completed before 1592, the year Shakespeare turned 28, and the last, <em>The Two Noble Kinsmen</em>, was written in 1613-14.</p>



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<p>The unending global fascination with Shakespeare’s works is reflected in the high estimate for the suite that exchanged hands in April, thus nullifying the intended auction. Andrea Smith, Lecturer in English and Creative Writing at the University of Suffolk in England, who has written extensively about the Bard, attributes this, in part, to his celebrity status. “Anything rare – and all four folios together is extremely rare – might fetch a high price, especially if they’re linked to a celebrity – and I think Shakespeare has become a celebrity over the centuries,” she explains.</p>



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<p>“I’d love to say [this is] just because the plays are brilliant, but it’s more than that. There’s mystery about the man himself – we know very little about him. And there’s a long history of holding his works in high regard among both academics and theatre professionals. When someone’s been on a pedestal as long as he has, it’s quite hard to knock him off!”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Stories for All Times</h3>



<p>Smith was first drawn to Shakespeare’s stories and characters, and subsequently his superbly crafted words. Although his language might initially be viewed as odd and old-fashioned in the contemporary era, this is “what keeps you there”, she says. “If it were just the plots and characters, I don’t think we’d have his words any more – he’d just be cannibalised by modern writers for his ideas. Instead, his plays are still being staged.”</p>


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<p>She opines that many of his plays have not dated in the same way as those of his contemporaries since the majority were not set in England in his lifetime. They also have a compelling political dimension and embrace universal themes such as leadership, fairness in society, responsibility and gender politics.</p>



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<p>In an added bonus, there is less of a language barrier for the global audience when they read Shakespeare. “If you’re reading him in a modern translation, he’s already in your contemporary language,” she notes.</p>



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<p>Smith leans towards the romantic comedies when asked to name her favourites among the Bard’s vast body of work. “Perhaps <em>Much Ado About Nothing</em> – I’m particularly fond of Beatrice and Benedick, the ex-lovers who fall in love all over again with some hefty nudges from their friends,” she says. Some of the lesser-known plays also make her list, particularly the three parts of <em>Henry VI</em>. “They’re set during the Wars of the Roses and are rarely performed, but they’re a fascinating take on the impact of war on everyone involved.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Heart of Being Human</h3>



<p><em>Macbeth</em>, Shakespeare’s famous tragedy about ambition, power and loss, was directed by Alexandra Spencer-Jones during a sell-out run in Hong Kong last year. For Spencer-Jones, Artistic Director of London-based theatre company Action to the Word, the Bard succeeds in cutting to the core of what it is to be human. “He’s a psychologist, a romantic, a pessimist, an optimist and sometimes even a protofeminist,” she notes. “Somehow, he has me by the hand, and says to me through his work, ‘I’ve got you’. I think a lot of people feel like that about him.”</p>



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<p>As a playwright, Shakespeare traverses geographical borders, language barriers and cultural conditions. “His talent for boring into the very heart of what it is to be human – to live, to die, to love and to suffer – touches us all deeply, regardless of where we were born, the money in our bank account or the cultural education we have received,” she says. “He’s the most honest playwright of all time.”</p>


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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tales of Tragedy</h3>



<p>According to Spencer-Jones, <em>Macbeth</em> fits the model of a perfect tragedy, and is a masterpiece on the page and to direct. She describes the main protagonist as the ideal tragic hero – someone for whom we feel pity, fear and disgust. “The play has everything that makes good drama – mystery and prophecy, amazingly written central characters who enthral us, terrible jeopardy and exquisite language.”</p>



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<p>If she were to choose one play as her personal standout, it would be <em>King Lear</em> – a heart-shattering exploration what it is to grow old and the dreadful ordeal of survival of the fittest. Her favourite to direct was the “vicious and ridiculous” <em>Titus Andronicus</em> – an early vengeance tale about defending one’s family to the literal death – while “it was such an honour to speak his words” when playing Juliet’s Nurse in <em>Romeo &amp; Juliet</em>, which is such a “beautifully written and carefully crafted” play.</p>



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<p>Spencer-Jones marvels at how Shakespeare’s plots have transcended his Elizabethan English writing. She points to ballets and symphonies based on his scripts, and the amazing immersive theatrical experience of <em>Sleep No More</em> by Punchdrunk, which is inspired by Macbeth. “If Shakespeare were alive today, he would be writing the most accessible and well-loved television shows,” she says.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Power of Theatre</h3>



<p>Nicholas Beckwith, Artistic Director of Hong Kong-based performing arts NGO Shakespeare4All, believes the Bard was exploring his own psyche when creating worlds outside his experience, such as a magical forest <em>(A Midsummer Night’s Dream) </em>or ancient Egypt <em>(Antony &amp; Cleopatra)</em>. “I think it’s about stepping into someone else’s shoes, and the power of theatre allows you to do that. And that’s why audiences continue to keep enjoying Shakespeare,” he says.</p>


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<p>Among a huge cast of diverse characters, Beckwith considers the fools to be the most interesting – like Bottom in <em>A Midsummer Night’s Dream</em> or the Fool in <em>King Lear</em>. “Shakespeare had this beautiful way that the fool characters were often the ones that were the most honest or the most piercing with their language,” he says.</p>



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<p>He also notes how one’s response to Shakespeare’s writing can change over time, with different elements provoking a different understanding of the plays – one of the reasons why people will revisit them throughout their life.</p>



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<p>Beckwith’s group of professional actors takes Shakespeare to various districts of Hong Kong, hoping to inspire local youths to tread the boards themselves. He says: “A lot of people can see Shakespeare as elitist, but it is his stories, his themes, his characters that are accessible, and watching young people in Hong Kong be inspired by the stories and discover things about themselves that they didn’t know is really empowering.”</p>


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