HONG KONG: Thousands said farewell yesterday to a giant inflatable yellow rubber duck which has captivated Hong Kong, on its final day in the city’s harbor before it heads to the United States.
The southern Chinese city has taken the 16.5 meter-tall duck, conceived by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, to its heart since it arrived under tow on May 2 to cheering crowds.
Duck mania has gripped the city — and parts of the Chinese mainland — since its arrival, with hundreds of thousands of locals and tourists in Hong Kong flooding the streets near where the giant replica bath toy is moored to catch a glimpse.
Stalls and shops sold replicas and merchandise ranging from T-shirts to three-dimensional duck tote bags. Restaurants created special duck dishes.
In mainland China, copies of the duck made an appearance in several cities — prompting a rebuke from the communist party newspaper the People’s Daily for what it called unoriginal copycat behavior.
The duck was even embroiled in mainland politics, in the run-up to the 24th anniversary on June 4 of the Tiananmen suppression of pro-democracy activists by the army.
Internet searches on the mainland for “yellow duck” were banned after users circulated a mocked-up image of a famous 1989 photo, with tanks replaced by plastic ducks.
In Hong Kong thousands were seen taking their last look Sunday at the genuine duck, wishing it well for the journey ahead and thanking it for bringing joy to the Asian financial hub.
“I hope that it can bring happiness to the people in the different countries it visits,” 30 year-old Sam Tsang told AFP.
“The rubber duck has brought us a lot of happiness...I hope it will come back,” said 34 year-old teacher Tina Yip.
Shopping mall Harbor City, organizers of the exhibit, said in a statement the duck has “spread joy and positive energy to everyone in town and has received so much love and support from fans and media.”
Since 2007 the duck has traveled to 13 different cities in nine countries ranging from Brazil to Australia.
Hofman said he hopes the duck, which will now travel to the US city of Pittsburgh, will act as a “catalyst” to connect people to public art.
The duck was to be deflated early Monday before being shipped out.
“Missing you already ducky! Must let you go to bring happiness to people around the world!!” Annie Hung wrote on Hofman’s Facebook wall.
Duck tops the bill in farewell Hong Kong appearance
Duck tops the bill in farewell Hong Kong appearance
Harry Styles announces 2026 global tour: See the dates
- e news arrives a week after Styles revealed his fourth studio album will arrive March 6. Titled “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally”
NEW YORK: Harry Styles is getting back out on the road. The English musician announced his “Together, Together” tour on Thursday. It’s a 50-date run made up of residencies in Europe, the UK, Brazil, Mexico, the US and Australia.
Styles’ tour launches May 16 with six nights in Amsterdam, followed by six nights in London, two in São Paulo, two in Mexico City, 30 at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, two in Melbourne and two in Sydney, where it will conclude in December.
Openers include Robyn, Shania Twain, Jorja Smith, Jamie xx, Fousheé, and more.
There are a few pre-sale opportunities. The general sale for São Paulo begins Wednesday and the Mexico City sale begins Jan. 29.
The general sale for Amsterdam, London, Melbourne, Sydney, and many New York dates begins Jan. 30. The last New York dates, Oct. 10 to 31, will go on sale Feb. 4.
Styles is no stranger to residencies. During his “Love on Tour” in 2022, he did a 15-night stint at Madison Square Garden, which Ticketmaster labeled “the highest-grossing single engagement in the venue’s history.”
The “Together, Together” tour news arrives a week after Styles revealed his long-awaited, fourth studio album will arrive March 6.
Titled “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally,” the album is Styles’ first full-length project in four years. It follows the 2022, critically acclaimed synth pop record “Harry’s House,” which earned the former One Direction star the top prize of album of the year at the 2023 Grammy Awards.
The cover for “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally” features the 31-year-old artist in a T-shirt and jeans at night, standing underneath a shimmering disco ball hung outside.
