The 13th Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Ceremony was an evening of glamour, artistry and eloquence. Centre stage at the event was Alice King, who was commended by the pen brand's culture watchers for her more than 20 years of patronage of the arts in Hong Kong, where she has been active in facilitating exchanges between local, mainland and overseas artists. Among the guests were the art doyenne's brothers, Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa and C.C. Tung; dance-studio owner Jean Wong, a previous award winner; and former ballet dancer Flora Cheong-leen. Also spotted at the ceremony were the Hong Kong adviser of Montblanc de la Culture, Lord Douro; Sir Gordon Wu Ying-sheung and Lady Ivy Wu; and Pansy Ho Chiu-king. As the chief executive's sister was awarded the 'Patron of Art' fountain pen and 15,000 euros to be donated to arts foundations of her choice, a small firework display set a lively backdrop. The chief executive then went to the stage and gave his sister his famous smile and a proud hug. King said she would divide the prize money between the Hong Kong Sinfonietta - of which she's a governor - and the Ink Foundation. 'My father once told me one must have a passion,' she said. 'Art and culture give dimension to an otherwise ordinary life.' The chief executive couldn't stay for the gala dinner, but guests enjoyed violinist Lu Jueyao's Flight of the Bumblebee and Czardas, pianist Warren Lee Wai-on's Rhapsody in Blue and soprano Eli Fung's renditions of Beautiful Spanish Lady and Think of Me.