The Minor in European Studies of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University is delighted to welcome you to “La Vie Bohème 2026”, a cultural programme celebrating the enduring spirit of the bohemian artist.

Inspired by the 175th anniversary of Henri Murger’s seminal 1851 novel, “Scènes de la vie de bohème”—the very source of Puccini’s beloved opera—this initiative looks beyond the garret of 19th-century Paris to explore a wider world of creative nonconformity.

Throughout 2026, in collaboration with a consortium of European and local cultural institutions, we will present a rich tapestry of events. Alongside performances of a new version of Puccini’s iconic opera, film screenings, talks, and intimate music evenings, the programme will spotlight a diverse array of artists, past and present, whose lives and works embody the true “vie bohème”: a passionate pursuit of art, freedom, and community beyond the mainstream.

We invite you to join us in discovering these stories and celebrating the timeless allure of the bohemian soul.

Click below to explore the events under the programme.

14 April – La bohème: from the beginning

30 April – Beyond the Boulevard: Chinese Bohemian Artists in 20th-Century Paris

30 May – Scènes de la vie de Bohème

05 October – Talk - Cavalleria Rusticana & Pagliacci and the Birth of Verismo