Hong Kong to Host Asian Premiere of 'Cats Who Slept for a Thousand Years' at WestK FunFest

The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority has officially announced the return of the third annual WestK FunFest, a landmark event that will feature the highly anticipated Asian debut of the massive art installation titled "Cats Who Slept for a Thousand Years." Scheduled to take place from March 19 through April 12, 2026, the festival is strategically timed to coincide with the Easter holiday period, providing a premier destination for local families and tourists alike. This expansive family-oriented celebration promises a vibrant atmosphere, boasting a diverse lineup of more than 120 distinct programs and activities designed to engage visitors across all generations.

Serving as the central pillar of the festival's diverse programming is an immersive masterpiece created by Air Giants, a prominent British creative studio that has gained international recognition for developing enormous, interactive soft robotic entities. This specific installation is meticulously crafted to offer a sanctuary of peace and reflection amidst the relentless pace of modern urban life, providing a much-needed psychological respite for Hong Kong residents who often navigate high-stress environments. The project was originally commissioned by the Manchester Museum in the United Kingdom, where it first captured public imagination as a single, monumental 10-meter-tall feline figure.

For its upcoming Hong Kong exhibition, the installation has been significantly expanded in scope and now features a charming family of three inflatable cats—consisting of two large adults and one smaller kitten—that gently sway their tails in a lifelike manner. Engineered by a team of experts with deep technical backgrounds, including Emma Powell and Richard Sewell, these robotic creatures utilize sophisticated pneumatic control systems to seamlessly blend sound and light with direct tactile engagement. Visitors are invited to have physical contact with the sculptures; the simple act of stroking the cats activates a soothing purring sound and rhythmic heartbeats, which are key elements of the artistic vision intended to foster a profound sense of tranquility within the bustling metropolis.

The primary exhibition of these gentle giants will be free to the public and situated at the Harbourside East Lawn within the scenic Art Park from March 19 to April 7, 2026. During the work week, the installation will be accessible to visitors from 14:00 to 20:00, while the operating hours for weekends and public holidays will be extended from noon until 20:00 to accommodate larger crowds. Furthermore, a strategic partnership with the ELEMENTS shopping mall will introduce three identical "mini-versions" of the installation, which will remain available for public viewing until April 12, 2026, effectively extending the artistic reach of the project beyond the main festival grounds.

Air Giants has built a reputation for pioneering the creation of some of the world's largest robots specifically designed for safe and meaningful human interaction, merging rigorous engineering precision with a unique artistic vision to elicit genuine emotional responses. The broader WestK FunFest, held within the dynamic West Kowloon Cultural District, will also encompass a variety of theatrical performances, workshops, and musical events. These diverse offerings collectively reinforce the vital role that interactive art plays in cultivating a sense of serenity and community belonging within a fast-paced and ever-evolving city environment.