[The following is issued on behalf of the Institute of Philanthropy]

The opening ceremony of the “Divine Steeds: Horses in Painting and Calligraphy of the Palace Museum” exhibition was held in the Hall of Literary Brilliance at the Palace Museum. Exclusively sponsored by the Institute of Philanthropy (IoP) and organised by the Palace Museum, the exhibition presents more than 50 paintings and calligraphic works from the Palace Museum's collection, including 20 Grade One national treasures, illustrating the bond between horses and humans and the special role of the horse in Chinese culture.

The exhibition explores four themes: Leisure, Herding, the Warhorse and the Spiritual Horse, with selected paintings and calligraphic treasures from the Palace Museum's collection. Spanning the Tang and Song dynasties, the Ming and Qing dynasties, through to the modern era, it presents important works by renowned masters including Li Gonglin, Zhao Mengfu, Ren Renfa, Giuseppe Castiglione and Xu Beihong. Through these treasures the exhibition immerses visitors in the world of horses across the ages, deepening their understanding of the nation and its equine culture, and fostering a sense of cultural identity and pride.

Officiating guests at the opening ceremony included Dr Wang Xudong, Director of the Palace Museum; Lester Huang, IoP Chairman, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust; Ivy Lin, Head (Cultural Exchange), Beijing Office of HKSAR Government; Ann Kung, Deputy Chairman of IoP and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust; and Dr Eric Li, IoP Director. Additional officiating guests include representatives from the Palace Museum, The China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, Chinese Museums Association, National Cultural Heritage Administration, and The Forbidden City Cultural Heritage Conservation Foundation.

Dr Wang Xudong, Director of the Palace Museum, said that the spirit of horse culture is rooted in the pursuit of steady progress and long-term aspiration, which resonates with the Palace Museum's ethos of respectfully preserving tradition and skilfully passing on this heritage. In this Year of the Horse, the Palace Museum organised this exhibition to celebrate the uplifting spirit of the times, encouraging visitors to enjoy ancient masterpieces, explore the social history and humanistic spirit of different eras, and gain a deeper appreciation of the richness and depth of Chinese culture.

Lester Huang, IoP Chairman, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, said that the Forbidden City, a treasure of Chinese civilisation, provides the ideal backdrop for an exhibition celebrating the deep cultural significance of horses throughout Chinese history. He noted the harmony between the Palace Museum’s rich heritage and this horse‑culture exhibition, which reflects the ethos of past societies and honours China’s equestrian tradition. Coinciding with the Year of the Horse, the exhibition offers visitors the chance to explore the many meanings of the horse across history and art.

Established as a “think-fund-do” tank for China and Asia and beyond through a seed grant from The Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust, IoP is collaborating with the Palace Museum on a five-year initiative to foster cultural exchange and develop arts tech talent. This exhibition is a key component of that collaboration. Aligning with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, IoP will continue to support Hong Kong in deepening its role as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.

The exhibition is also one of the highlights of the Club's Year of the Horse campaign. The Year of the Horse holds special significance for Hong Kong and the Club. With its elegance and power, the horse has become an enduring emblem of passion, dynamism and rapid progress – qualities that resonate deeply with Hong Kong’s own “can-do” spirit. Horse racing is not only Hong Kong’s favourite pastime, but a symbol of its prosperity and stability under One Country, Two Systems.

With the theme “Riding High Together in the Year of the Horse”, the Club’s Year of the Horse campaign aims to honour the profound partnership between human and horse and to unite the community through thrilling races, international equestrian spectacles and a special series of cultural, sporting and family events. The year-long campaign is a community celebration, a tourist attraction and an opportunity to promote equine and community sports development. A major highlight is the launch of regular racing together with equine-themed sports, cultural and tourism events at Conghua Racecourse, Guangzhou, at the end of October. This will be a significant milestone in the Club’s support for national equine industry development in the Greater Bay Area and beyond. For more information on the Year of the Horse campaign, please visit https://hkjc.com/YOTH.

About the Institute of Philanthropy
The Institute of Philanthropy was established in September 2023 through a seed grant of HK$6.8 billion (US$870 million) from The Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust. Established as an independent “think-fund-do” tank for China, Asia and beyond, IoP is dedicated to promoting philanthropic thought leadership and enhancing sector capabilities at local, regional and global levels in collaboration with fellow funders. It seeks to provide an Asia-based platform bringing global stakeholders together to promote the betterment of societies everywhere.