Thousands of revellers flocked to Tai Hang and Victoria Park tonight (29 September) to see the spectacular Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, one of the local traditions inscribed in the third national list of intangible cultural heritage. The extraordinary event, which will also be held on Sunday and Monday nights, is supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust in association with the Tai Hang Residents’ Welfare Association three years in a row.
Jockey Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson joined Under Secretary for Home Affairs Florence Hui, the Association’s Chairman Ho Choi-chiu, other officiating guests, and over 300 residents at the opening ceremony to showcase the spectacular 220-feet-long dragon before it started its parade through Tai Hang and Victoria Park.
Mr Stevenson noted that the fire dragon dance, which is now 130 years old, is a celebration of the deep sense of community, with ties within neighbourhoods going across Hong Kong. He applauded the many groups working over the years to keep local traditions alive and in doing so helping to bring our community together. Tai Hang Residents’ Welfare Association is a wonderful example of this. “I am delighted that the Jockey Club has been supporting the Fire Dragon for the last three years. And to ensure the Dragon’s roar will not diminish, we have pledged funds to cover the event through to 2014.”
For more than a century, the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance has been one of Hong Kong’s unique festive and cultural events. It started in 1880 as an act to ward off a plague that broke out in Tai Hang Village. Since then it has become customary to hold a Fire Dragon dance in Tai Hang every year during the Mid-Autumn Festival period in order to drive away infectious diseases and bring good fortune to the residents.
The Dragon is 220 feet long and has a team of around 300 dancers, who are all present or former residents of Tai Hang. Constructed of “pearl grass” (c??c??e??) and incense sticks, the Dragon consists of a head, body and tail and is preceded by two dancing Dragon Pearls (e??c??). It is accompanied by children carrying lanterns and adults with banners and drums.
The Jockey Club has been a staunch supporter of cultural preservation over the years. In early April, it announced funding of HK$2 million to support four local activities inscribed onto the third National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in China in 2011, namely this year’s Cheung Chau Jiao Festival, the Tai O Traditional Dragon Boat Water Parade, the traditional Yu Lan Festival of the Hong Kong Chiu Chow Community , and the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Parade. The donation also funds The Conservancy Association Centre for Heritage (CACHe) to organise a related educational programme for the public.
With the Trust’s funding, the CACHe and the Tai Hang Residents’ Welfare Association have organised one workshop and two talks to promote awareness of the tradition to the public. Some participants even had a hand in the making of the Fire Dragon.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world's leading horse racing organisations but also a world top 15 charitable organisation and Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.7 billion in 2012. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$16 billion a year for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious, with more than 23,000 members. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.
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Jockey Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson is delighted that the Jockey Club has been supporting the Fire Dragon.
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The Cluba£á?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So, decorates the fire dragon.
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Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson (4th left) and Mrs Stevenson (3rd left), the Cluba£á?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (1st left), Under Secretary for Home Affairs Florence Hui (centre), Tai Hang Residentsa£á? Welfare Association Chairman Ho Choi-chiu (4th right), Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in HKSAR representative Liu Lin (3rd right) and Wan Chai District Officer Angela Luk (2nd right) and guests cut the ribbon to mark the beginning of this yeara£á?s parade.
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Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson joins over 300 Tai Hang residents to showcase the 220-foot-long fire dragon at the opening ceremony.
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Club Chairman T Brian Stevenson (first row, 4th right) and Mrs Stevenson (first row, centre), the Cluba£á?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (first row, 2nd right), Under Secretary for Home Affairs Florence Hui (first row, 4th left), Tai Hang Residentsa£á? Welfare Association Chairman Ho Choi-chiu (first row, 3rd right), Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in HKSAR representative Liu Lin (first row, 1st right) and other guests.
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The Club also supports the Tai Hang Residentsa£á? Welfare Association and Conservancy Association Centre for Heritage in organising one workshop and two talks to raise awareness of this intangible heritage.
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