[Eng] SWEAT 2025: Hong Kong Unites East and West in Dance

Text: Michael Li

(此文章是由香港演藝學院策劃及提供，《舞蹈手札》僅作為SWEAT 的友好夥伴刊登內容，並沒參與編撰。

This article is planned and provided by the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Dance Journal serves only as a friendly partner in publishing content for SWEAT and did not participate in its editing.)

SWEAT Hong Kong International Dance Workshop Festival (SWEAT) 2025 included a Dance Conference co-presented by Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA),  World Dance Alliance and Hong Kong Dance Alliance. Professor Anna CY Chan, Director of HKAPA, also serving as the Artistic Director of the festival, opened the conference in a warm, light-hearted way. She leaned towards the microphone and said: “Why call it SWEAT? Because dancers and teachers sweat—whether on stage, in studios, during rehearsals. It symbolises the effort, passion, and grit that go into this art form.” The audience responded with nods and smiles, breaking the ice for what would become two weeks of intellectual discussions, masterclasses, presentations, and performances.

SWEAT at a Glance

SWEAT began in 2022 and was launched by HKAPA during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first festival was held virtually and brought together hundreds of arts practitioners from 23 countries for two weeks. Through research labs, workshops, masterclasses, dance video screenings and open discussions, SWEAT quickly established itself as an important platform for innovation and artistic exchange in the world of dance.

In 2025, more than 500 scholars, practitioners, technologists, educators, and students from 15 countries came to Hong Kong to attend the SWEAT festival. They gathered at HKAPA from June 8 to 22, turning the Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre, dance studios, classrooms, technology labs and theatres into a busy hub of creativity and intellectual exchange. SWEAT represented strong evidence of Hong Kong’s unique position as a place where East meets West, blending traditional and contemporary approaches to dance. With a programme featuring a Dance Conference (keynote speeches, panels, presentations of papers, and lecture demonstrations); DanceTECH Research Showcase, Choreographic Projects Open Studio Presentations, workshops, and masterclasses, SWEAT 2025 was a celebration of dance in all shapes and forms, as well as a significant platform for advancing this art form globally.

The 2025 theme, Cultural Sequences: Asia Pacific Choreographic Discovery, celebrated the innovative work of choreographers in the Asia Pacific region who reinterpret traditional dance forms while addressing contemporary issues such as migration, climate change, and digital transformation, particularly with the rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). Through their research and choreography, these artists engage critically with cultural and historical narratives, explore the tension between global influences and local traditions, and experiment with new forms and vocabularies of movement. Festival sessions showcased works that reshaped aesthetic boundaries, delved into colonial histories, explored identities, and used dance as a powerful medium for resistance and activism, tackling challenges like uncertainty and environmental sustainability.

Professor Anna CY Chan: Leading the Charge for Dance Innovation

At the heart of SWEAT 2025 was Professor Anna CY Chan, a visionary leader who has championed the role of dance in education and intellectual exchange for decades. It took almost two years of tireless work for her to make this conference a reality. In her opening remarks, Professor Chan emphasised the importance of collaboration and innovation in dance education and research. “Dance is more than just movement. It’s about discipline, connection, and telling stories that matter,” she said.

Her leadership has been instrumental in positioning HKAPA as a global hub for dance education and research. Her dual role as Director of HKAPA and Artistic Director of SWEAT lent the event both academic and artistic strength and credibility. By hosting SWEAT, the Academy not only showcased its own excellence but also created a platform for international collaboration, ensuring that Hong Kong remains at the forefront of performing arts innovation.

SWEAT Festival 2025 Opening / Photo provided by HKAPA

HKAPA: Where East Meets West

Ranked among the top 20 best tertiary institutes in the Performing Arts category by the QS World University Ranking in 2025, HKAPA has been a leader in pushing creative boundaries. The Academy offers programmes at diploma,bachelor’s and master’s levels across six Schools: Chinese Opera, Dance, Drama, Film & TV, Music, and Theatre & Entertainment Arts. While the dance programme at the School of Dance has long been respected within the region, SWEAT 2025 highlighted its global ambitions. The same values are mutually shared among all six Schools as the Academy is located in a city known for its blend of Eastern and Western cultures – an ideal place for cross-cultural collaboration and innovation.

The choreographic projects reflected this dynamic. For example, the Dance Reflections Choreographic Residency Project, led by TAO Dance Theater, explored the fusion of traditional Chinese dance and contemporary movement, and the exploration of the Circular Movement System. Similarly, the joint initiative CollabAsia Project between HKAPA, Sungkyunkwan University and ArtsCross Hong Kong, collaborating with choreographers, academics, and dancers from Beijing, London, Taipei and Hong Kong, demonstrated how HKAPA students are learning to bridge cultural and artistic divides.

The Academy’s facilities such as the Hong Kong Jockey Club Amphitheatre and the Dance & Technology Lab enabled smooth integration of live and virtual elements, ensuring accessibility for a global audience. These initiatives underscore HKAPA’s commitment to preparing its students for the challenges and opportunities of the global dance landscape.

Conference Themes

The SWEAT Dance Conference tackled a wide range of topics, but three key themes stood out: technology, sustainability, and pedagogy. Together, these themes demonstrated the potential of dance to address contemporary challenges while preserving its rich traditions.

1. Dance and Technology: Embracing the Future

Technology was a major focus of the conference, with several sessions exploring how digital tools are reshaping dance creation, performance, and education.

One of the most engaging presentations came from Professor Ming Ma of Macau, who explored the transformative role of TikTok in promoting Chinese dance to a global audience. Currently based at the City University of Macau, Professor Ma drew on his rich experience from his time at the Beijing Dance Academy, a leading institute for dance education in Mainland China. He demonstrated how TikTok has become a cultural bridge, enabling traditional Chinese dance to reach millions of online viewers worldwide. “Social media is not just a tool for entertainment,” Professor Ma emphasized. “It’s a powerful platform for cultural dissemination, career development and ensuring that traditions live on in the digital age.”

Beyond his analysis, Professor Ma provided practical advice for dancers, choreographers and scholars seeking to adapt to the digital landscape. He encouraged them to experiment with short-form videos, engage directly with online communities, and use TikTok or RedNote, among other platforms, as a medium to share their creative processes and research. He also challenged participants to think critically about how they could maintain authenticity while navigating the fast-paced world of social media. The session sparked a lively discussion, with attendees reflecting on how platforms like TikTok could not only preserve traditional dance but also inspire new forms of artistic expression and connect with younger, tech-savvy audiences worldwide.

Other Conference sessions highlighted exciting projects like LILITH.AI, a lecture performance by Esteban Lecoq and Aoi Nakamura that blended artificial intelligence with human expression. Their presentation demonstrated how technology can expand the boundaries of dance, offering new possibilities for choreography, performance, and audience engagement. At the same time, they raised important ethical questions about authorship, agency, and the role of technology in shaping the future of artistic practice. Discussions delved into how such innovations challenge traditional notions of embodiment and creativity, prompting participants to reflect on the evolving relationship between the human body and digital systems in dance.

Masterclass, DanceTECH Research Showcase, Dance Lecture Demonstration / Photo provided by HKAPA

2. Sustainability and the Preservation of Cultural Heritage

The theme of sustainability ran through many of the conference's panels and lecture demonstrations, reflecting global concerns over cultural preservation and environmental responsibility. Sessions like “Embodied Cultural Heritage” delved into the challenges and possibilities of preserving traditional dance forms in an era of rapid societal and ecological change. Discussions highlighted how dances rooted in heritage, such as the Tibetan Zhuo Dance, can serve as living archives of cultural memory. By documenting and teaching such practices, practitioners not only ensure their survival but also explore ways to keep them relevant to younger, more globalized audiences.

Equally impactful was the presentation by Cai Hongying, which investigated the transformations of Dunhuang Dance postures through visual analysis. Cai’s work underscores the necessary balance between maintaining the authenticity of traditional forms and reimagining them to resonate with modern audiences. This dialogue aligned with broader efforts, such as the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It advocates integrating cultural preservation into contemporary frameworks while promoting sustainable practices. Cai’s reflections also spoke to the larger question of how cultural heritage can inspire new interpretations without compromising its historical roots or environmental structure, offering a model for the preservation of both artistic and environmental legacies.

These parallel sessions collectively illustrated how the preservation of cultural heritage and the sustainability of our natural world are deeply connected. Dance, as both a cultural artifact and a dynamic practice, has the potential to bridge the gap between tradition and innovation, offering a unique platform for reflection, dialogue, and change.

SWEAT Panel Discussions and Scholarly Presentations/ Photo provided by HKAPA

3. Pedagogy and Community: Message for the Next Generation

Education was a central theme at SWEAT 2025, with numerous sessions dedicated to exploring how dance can foster community and personal growth. An emotional keynote speech titled “Dance to Doubt: Toward the Non-Standard” by Tang Fu Kuen opened the conference. He addressed the resilience and adaptability required of dancers, choreographers, and researchers in an ever-changing world. Tang reflected on the challenges faced by the dance community during the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring themes of survival, life, and death. He also highlighted the transformative potential of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), such as ChatGPT, in reshaping creative practices. Tang shared an example of how GenAI was integrated into a live performance, where text-based conversations prompted by ChatGPT complemented choreography, creating an interactive dialogue between human movement and AI-generated responses. The audience sat in a live theatre, watching as Tang’s dance unfolded alongside AI-driven outputs, bridging the gap between human creativity and technological innovation. His message emphasised the need for dancers and choreographers to embrace technology, not as a replacement but as a collaborator, and to remain adaptable and resilient in their craft.

The panel on “A Choreography of Pedagogies” featured presentations on topics ranging from curriculum development to inclusive teaching practices. A talk by Yao Wei of Hong Kong examined how dance improvisation techniques can be adapted to empower visually impaired dancers. Yao’s work demonstrates the power of dance to break down barriers and create more inclusive spaces.

Another significant discussion was the panel on “Internationalisation of Culture and Sequences Across the Asia Pacific Region: A Person-to-Person, Face-to-Face Approach”, led by Sarah Foster-Sproull and Ralph Buck from the University of Auckland, New Zealand. The session highlighted the growing importance of cross-cultural exchange in dance education. Ralph Buck, who recently authored a book on his experience teaching a joint degree programme with the Beijing Dance Academy, shared insights into how collaborative programmes can foster deeper understanding and mutual respect between cultures. Their work underscores the value of personal connections, face-to-face teaching, and international partnerships in breaking geographical and cultural boundaries.

SWEAT also featured workshops and masterclasses led by leading practitioners, offering participants hands-on opportunities to learn new techniques and approaches. From ethnic folk dance to contemporary improvisation, these sessions reinforced the idea that dance education is a lifelong process of discovery and growth. Together, these discussions and activities emphasised the importance of equipping the next generation of dancers with not only technical skills but also the adaptability, inclusivity, and curiosity needed to thrive in an evolving and increasingly interconnected world.

SWEAT Workshops and Masterclasses / Photo provided by HKAPA

Performances that Brought the Themes to Life

While the discussions and presentations provided intellectual stimulation, the performances at SWEAT 2025 brought the conference’s themes to life. Each day featured showcases that left audiences inspired and excited.

Mui Cheuk-yin’s Searching for Identity was an impressive lecture performance, blending traditional Chinese dance with contemporary movement to explore questions of heritage and self-discovery. Her choreography resonated with the audience, serving as a powerful reminder of dance’s ability to tell personal and universal stories.

The collaborative open studio presentation by HKAPA and Yunnan Arts University students was another highlight. Drawing on their ethnographic research into Chinese folk dance, the students presented works that honoured Chinese tradition while pushing creative boundaries. It highlighted the Academy’s role in nurturing the next generation of dance artists and scholars.

SWEAT Performances and a Group Photo in Studio 1, HKAPA / Photo provided by HKAPA

A Truly Global Impact

One of the most striking aspects of SWEAT 2025 was its international reach. The event attracted participants not only from mainland China and the Greater Bay Area cities, but also other parts of Asia as well as Europe and Oceania. It created a vibrant global dialogue on the future of dance. This diversity of perspectives enriched every discussion, ranging over topics such as pedagogy, cultural preservation, and technological innovation. SWEAT demonstrated that dance is a universal language, capable of transcending borders, bridging traditions, and addressing shared global challenges.

Hong Kong’s unique position as a cultural hub was evident throughout the festival. As a city where East meets West, Hong Kong offered the perfect backdrop for conversations about cross-cultural collaboration and exchange. This blending of tradition and openness to innovation gave SWEAT 2025 a distinct character, distinguishing it from similar events held elsewhere. Presentations like the “Internationalisation of Culture and Sequences Across the Asia Pacific Region” illustrated how Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to facilitate meaningful partnerships between global institutions and dance communities. Hosting a high-profile event like SWEAT 2025 is a recognition of Hong Kong’s place on the global dance map, affirming its ability to serve as a hub for international cultural exchange. Crucially, it has positioned HKAPA as a leader in shaping the future of dance education and innovation.

Conclusion: A Legacy for the Future

At the end of the conference Dr Gordon Munro, Deputy Director (Academic) of HKAPA, reflected on the event’s significance. He noted that SWEAT Dance Conference 2025 was more than a regular conference gathering; it was an opportunity for change, sparking new ideas, collaborations, and possibilities for the future of dance.

SWEAT 2025 demonstrated the vital role of dance in addressing contemporary challenges, from technological innovation to cultural and heritage preservation and community building. The keynote speech by Tang Fu Kuen on the integration of AI in dance, the panel on pedagogy and inclusivity, and the discussions on international collaboration all highlighted the rich and immense potential of dance as a medium for connection and growth. Through these dialogues, SWEAT 2025 reinforced the importance of HKAPA in fostering global dialogue, nurturing talent, and advancing the dance art form. It showed that Hong Kong is ready to lead the way in shaping the future of dance.

To maintain this momentum, it is highly recommended to organise more events like SWEAT 2025, ensuring that Hong Kong continues to attract international attention and respect. Such events will not only draw world-class talent but also inspire the next generation of dancers, choreographers, educators, and scholars. The legacy of SWEAT 2025 is one of vision and possibility, a reminder of Hong Kong’s strong cultural aspirations. By continuing to bridge tradition and innovation, the city can secure its place as a global leader in dance for years to come.

Acknowledgements:

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the talented photographers who contributed their incredible work to this article. Special thanks to the SWEAT Project Team, Professor Anna CY Chan, Professor Ou Lu, and other Dance Faculty members at HKAPA for their contributions.

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Michael Li

Michael is an author, educator, and leader in dance education, recognised for blending creative arts, education, and technology. After a 20+ year professional dance career, he transitioned into education, embracing both traditional and modern methods, including MOOC, SPOC, and integrated pedagogies, which has earned international recognition and multiple teaching awards. Currently, he serves as Principal Head (Digital Learning) at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. In recent years, he explores the interconnections among dance, technology, and humanity. He is an advocate for incorporating Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to create a more integrated, interdisciplinary approach to dance education.