Swire Properties to host Hong Kong’s first Elephant Parade this Summer

Something big is about to land in Hong Kong! Elephant Parade and Swire Properties today jointly announced Hong Kong as the next destination of the world’s largest art exhibition of decorated elephant statues, in aid of Asian elephant conservation.

From 1 August to 9 September 2014, more than 100 individually-painted life-size baby elephant statutes will be exhibited at Pacific Place, Cityplaza and Citygate Outlets malls, with an aim to increase awareness of the endangered Asian elephant  and raise funds for conservation programmes. Each of the five-foot-high statues will be designed by renowned local and international artists, designers, celebrities and influential brands.

"Elephant Parade has been done in many cities and we welcome it to Hong Kong,” said Under Secretary for the Environment of Hong Kong, Dr. Christine Loh, OBE, JP, who is also the official patron of the parade. “It is an eye-catching, arty, fun and meaningful event that fits the growing awareness about protecting elephants. I am sure the people of Hong Kong will enjoy the event when it comes in the summer.”

“We’re delighted to bring the fun and excitement of Elephant Parade to such a vibrant city as Hong Kong,” said Elephant Parade founder, Mr Mike Spits. “Our aim is to ‘paint a brighter future’ for Asian elephant populations faced with extreme habitat loss and dramatic declines across the region. Elephant Parade is a bright, positive way to do this by attracting awareness and generating conservation funds. I must thank our partner Swire Properties for making it possible to share our elephants with the public in Hong Kong and the Greater China region for the very first time.”

“Swire Properties has for many years been a dedicated patron of arts and culture in Hong Kong,” said Mrs Elizabeth Kok, Retail Portfolio Director of Swire Properties. “We believe that art has the power to move people and Elephant Parade is a unique and creative initiative that can raise awareness of the vital issue facing Asian elephants today. As a commercially and socially responsible corporation, we want to play our part in bringing this issue to the fore.”

At the end of the exhibition, approximately 20 of the most prominent statues will be auctioned off for charity by Sotheby’s at a gala event to be held at the Island Shangri-La. Proceeds from the auction will go to the Asian Elephant Foundation, an international charity that backs conservation and education projects of the endangered species, which was listed on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List.

The first Elephant Parade took place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in 2007. Since then, parades have marched around the world from London and Milan to Singapore and California, raising over GBP3.6million (approximately HK$46million) through auctions and the sale of merchandise. Elephant Parade has also gathered a diverse, high profile set of supporters and artistic contributors, ranging from royalty to internationally-recognised artists, designers, singers, actors and celebrities.