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Jockey Club continues its support to preserve Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance

10/04/2017

Every year, more than 10,000 revellers flock to Tai Hang to enjoy the parade of a spectacular 220-foot-long dragon through the streets.  This year is no different, except that the event has been extended from three nights to four, finishing on 6 October, which can allow more people to experience the celebration. This 138-year old tradition has been supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust since 2010 in collaboration with the Tai Hang Residents’ Welfare Association.

Club Steward The Hon Sir C K Chow joined Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Carrie Lam, Tai Hang Residents’ Welfare Association Chairman Wong Ki-kwok, Head of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office Ms Cissy Ho and other guests to officiate at the opening ceremony of tonight’s (4 October) Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance.

“The Club has long put emphasis on cultural preservation and heritage,” Sir C K Chow told the guests. “We are delighted to have supported the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance for eight 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 Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, one of the local traditions inscribed in the third national list of intangible cultural heritage. It is believed to drive away infectious diseases and bring good fortune.

Apart from supporting this fascinating tradition, the Trust is continuing its support to the Conservancy Association Centre for Heritage to organise an Intangible Cultural Heritage Education Programme that promotes public awareness of the tradition, through workshops on topics such as the history of the event and the making of a fire dragon.

Since 2012, the Trust has also provided funding to help preserve two other local festivals inscribed in the national list, namely the Cheung Chau Jiao Festival and the Tai O Traditional Dragon Boat Water Parade.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2016/17, the Club’s total direct return to the community was HK$30.5 billion. It is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer, one of the city’s major employers and one of the world's top ten charity donors. The Club is always "riding high together for a better future" with the people of Hong Kong.

Club Steward The Hon Sir C K Chow joins several hundred Tai Hang residents at the opening ceremony, lifting the head of the 220-foot-long fire dragon at the opening ceremony. He says the Club has long put emphasis on cultural preservation and heritage, and is delighted to have supported the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance for eight consecutive years.
Club Steward The Hon Sir C K Chow joins several hundred Tai Hang residents at the opening ceremony, lifting the head of the 220-foot-long fire dragon at the opening ceremony. He says the Club has long put emphasis on cultural preservation and heritage, and is delighted to have supported the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance for eight consecutive years.

Club Steward The Hon Sir C K Chow decorates the fire dragon.
Club Steward The Hon Sir C K Chow decorates the fire dragon.

Club Steward The Hon Sir C K Chow (4th left), Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Carrie Lam (centre), Tai Hang Residentsa£á? Welfare Association Chairman Wong Ki-Kwok (5th left), Tai Hang Fire Dragon Heritage Centre Chairman Anthea Lo (6th right), and Head of Intangible Cultural Heritage Office Ms Cissy Ho (2nd right) at the opening ceremony of Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance.
Club Steward The Hon Sir C K Chow (4th left), Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Carrie Lam (centre), Tai Hang Residentsa£á? Welfare Association Chairman Wong Ki-Kwok (5th left), Tai Hang Fire Dragon Heritage Centre Chairman Anthea Lo (6th right), and Head of Intangible Cultural Heritage Office Ms Cissy Ho (2nd right) at the opening ceremony of Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance.

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The sparkling night parade of the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance is believed to drive away infectious diseases and bring good fortune.
Photos 4/5:
The sparkling night parade of the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance is believed to drive away infectious diseases and bring good fortune.


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