Jockey Club funds Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, passing on traditional Chinese culture for the seventh year in a row

09/15/2016

Tai Hang came alive last night (14 September) as the crash of cymbals and bang of drums heralded the sparkling night parade of the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance. The spectacular three-night event takes place annually in Tai Hang. Inscribed on to China's national list of intangible cultural heritage traditions, this extravaganza has been supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust since 2010 in collaboration with the Tai Hang Residents’ Welfare Association.

Officiating guests at last night's opening ceremony of the 2016 Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance included Club Steward Dr Eric Li; Under Secretary for Development Eric Ma; Deputy for the Hong Kong Island Office of the Central People's Government Liaison Office in Hong Kong, Fan Kesheng; Wan Chai District Officer Rick Chan; and Tai Hang Residents’ Welfare Association Chairman Leung Wai-tack.

The Fire Dragon Dance started in 1880. The tradition, which is believed to drive away infectious diseases and bring good fortune, was inscribed on to the national list of intangible cultural heritage in 2011. “The Club has long put stress on cultural preservation and heritage,” Dr Li told guests. “We are delighted to have supported the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance for seven consecutive years, and to run educational programmes in parallel to provide our young people with a chance to learn about the history of the Fire Dragon Dance, as part of efforts to maintain and pass on traditional Chinese culture.”

The Trust supports the Conservancy Association Centre for Heritage in organising an Intangible Cultural Heritage Education Programme that promotes public awareness of these traditions through workshops on topics such as the history of the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance and the making of a fire dragon. This year’s workshops and talks were held earlier this month. In addition to the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has supported the preservation of other intangible cultural heritage traditions such as the Cheung Chau Jiao Festival and the Tai O Traditional Dragon Boat Water Parade since 2012.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a not-for-profit enterprise dedicated to community betterment. Through its integrated business model of world-class racing, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charity and community contribution, the Club generates substantial economic and social value and assists the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2015/16 the Club donated a record HK$3.9 billion to charity and paid a record HK$20.9 billion in tax. It is Hong Kong’s largest single tax payer and one of the world’s largest charity donors. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.