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Art Basel Hong Kong called off over coronavirus fears; decision ‘extremely difficult’, organiser says
- Overseas art dealers had urged the fair’s cancellation, and organiser says unfolding virus outbreak left it with no choice; event drew 88,000 people in 2019
- Art Central, another fair due to have been held in the same week in March, has also been cancelled
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Art Basel Hong Kong has been cancelled after dealers urged the organiser to call off the event over fears of the novel coronavirus outbreak in China.
Art Central, another art fair that was scheduled to be held in Hong Kong from 18 to 22 March 2020, has also been cancelled amid public health concerns due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Switzerland’s MCH Group AG, the event organiser, said it had no choice but to scrap the fair planned for March 17-21 due to concerns over the safety of participants, “severe” logistical challenges and escalating difficulties in international travel.
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“The decision to cancel Art Basel Hong Kong was an extremely difficult one for us,” said MCH Group CEO Bernd Stadlwieser.
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The Art Basel franchise, which counts UBS Group AG as its lead partner, also has fairs in Miami and Basel, Switzerland. The Hong Kong event would have been the eighth edition of one of Asia’s most prestigious art fairs. Last year, it drew some 88,000 people, including visitors from mainland China.
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