Asia Society Hong Kong Center Celebrates Naming of Lippo Amphitheater
HONG KONG (November 22, 2017) – Asia Society Hong Kong Center (“the Center”) today announced the naming of its covered terrace area as Lippo Amphitheater, in recognition of the long-time support of Dr. Stephen Riady, president of Lippo Group and the Riady family.
“I would like to extend my personal thanks and appreciation to the Riady family for their generosity. The Riady family has been there for us from day one as one of the cornerstone benefactors in helping the Asia Society Hong Kong Center off the ground. Indeed, Dr. Mochtar Riady was a member of Asia Society’s Global Council from 1989 to 1997 and a Trustee from 1997 to 2005. I am particularly touched and honored that we receive such fervent support spanning both generations from Dr. Mochtar Riady to Dr. Stephen Riady,” said Mr. Ronnie Chan, chairman emeritus of Asia Society and chairman of Asia Society Hong Kong Center.
“The Riady family has long been a patron of Asia Society Hong Kong Center. Their support for us dated as far back as 1991 in the early stages of our establishment in Hong Kong. The Center’s mission as an educational institute delivering current and balanced perspectives on Asia’s global role continues to be guided by Dr. Mochtar Riady through his representation at our Advisory Council. The Lippo Amphitheater is the location for many of the Center’s community activities and arts and culture programs, which fits well with the Riady family’s philanthropic focus to support communities and education,” said Ms. S. Alice Mong, Executive Director of the Center.
The Lippo Amphitheater has played host to many of the Center’s family-focused art and educational workshops. More recently, these included the “Color Your World with Miffy Education Series” this past summer; the current ArtLab workshops in The Jockey Club Art Education and Female Empowerment Series, which is part of the community education program under The Hong Kong Jockey Club Presents — Painting Her Way: The Ink Art of Fang Zhaoling; and yoga and fitness classes in the Health and Wellness Series held since September this year.
Located adjacent to the Center’s GG Block, a Grade II historical building built circa late 1940s, the Lippo Amphitheater forms part of the Center’s Entry Pavilion building and presents an interesting juxtaposition of modern architectural design against the historical military structure of the Former Explosives Magazine. It is also a good reflection of the adaptive reuse of space in the heritage site that was carefully conserved and restored to transfer into a cultural, artistic and intellectual hub in HK since 2012.