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Jockey Club-funded Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance expected to attract thousands of spectators

09/07/2014

Causeway Bay comes alive tonight (7 September) as the crash of cymbals and bang of drums herald the spectacular parade of the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance crowned with burning incense sticks and sparklers. More than 10,000 people are expected to watch the three-night event, one of the iconic activities in Tai Hang and Victoria Park celebrating the mid-Autumn Festival. Designated as an intangible cultural heritage tradition in China, this extraordinary event has been supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust since 2010 in collaboration with the Tai Hang Residents’ Welfare Association.

Jockey Club Steward Anthony W K Chow joined Under Secretary for Home Affairs Florence Hui, Central People’s Government Liaison Office Hong Kong Island Sub-office Director General Wu Yang-wei, District Officer (Wan Chai) Angela Luk, Tai Hang Residents’ Welfare Association Chairman Ho Choi-chiu and other guests to officiate at the opening ceremony of the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance.

Mr Chow applauded the Tai Hang Residents’ Welfare Association and the many groups working over the years to keep this century-long local tradition alive. He also said the Club was committed to preserving local culture and heritage, and was delighted to support the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance for five consecutive years and run educational programmes as part of efforts to keep and pass on this tradition to future generations. 

This year turned a new leaf as Natural Chu became the first female leader of the music section since the fire dragon dance started in 1880. Although she moved away from Tai Hang more than two decades ago, she insists on joining every year and has been a drummer for the past 12 years. “I would like to thank the Jockey Club for the kind donation to pass on this tradition from one generation to the next. As a Tai Hang resident, it is our responsibility to take part in the fire dragon dance and I will come back year after year to help.”

The Club has donated over HK$1.2 million to preserve the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance since 2010, and began to support other intangible cultural heritage traditions including Cheung Chau Jiao Festival, the Tai O Traditional Dragon Boat Water Parade and the traditional Yu Lan Festival of the Hong Kong Chiu Chow community in 2012. The donation also enables the Conservancy Association Centre for Heritage to organise an Intangible Cultural Heritage Education Programme for promoting public awareness of the four festivals by holding workshops on such areas as the history of the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance and the making of a fire dragon. This year, related workshop has been held last month.

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 Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.95 billion in 2012/13. In addition, the Club is a major taxpayer, Hong Kong’s single largest by far, generating over HK$17.64 billion in 2012/13 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. 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.

Club Steward Anthony W K Chow joins hundreds of Tai Hang residents at the opening ceremony, lifting the head of a 220-foot-long fire dragon. He says the Club is committed to preserving local culture and heritage, and is delighted to support the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance for five consecutive years and run educational programmes as part of efforts to keep and pass on the cultural heritage to future generations.
Club Steward Anthony W K Chow joins hundreds of Tai Hang residents at the opening ceremony, lifting the head of a 220-foot-long fire dragon. He says the Club is committed to preserving local culture and heritage, and is delighted to support the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance for five consecutive years and run educational programmes as part of efforts to keep and pass on the cultural heritage to future generations.

Photos 2/3/4:<br>Club Stewards Anthony W K Chow (photo 2) and Michael Lee (photo 3), and Executive Director, Charities and Community Cheung Leong (photo 4) perform the fire dragon decorating rituals.
Photos 2/3/4:
Club Stewards Anthony W K Chow (photo 2) and Michael Lee (photo 3), and Executive Director, Charities and Community Cheung Leong (photo 4) perform the fire dragon decorating rituals.



Club Stewards Anthony W K Chow (8th right) and Michael Lee (6th right), Executive Director, Charities and Community Cheung Leong (2nd left), Under Secretary for Home Affairs Florence Hui (6th left), Central Peoplea£á?s Government Liaison Office Hong Kong Island Sub-office Director General Wu Yang-wei (5th left), District Officer (Wan Chai) Angela Luk (4th left), Tai Hang Residentsa£á? Welfare Association Chairman Ho Choi-chiu (7th left), and other guests cut the ribbon to mark the beginning of this yeara£á?s Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance.
Club Stewards Anthony W K Chow (8th right) and Michael Lee (6th right), Executive Director, Charities and Community Cheung Leong (2nd left), Under Secretary for Home Affairs Florence Hui (6th left), Central Peoplea£á?s Government Liaison Office Hong Kong Island Sub-office Director General Wu Yang-wei (5th left), District Officer (Wan Chai) Angela Luk (4th left), Tai Hang Residentsa£á? Welfare Association Chairman Ho Choi-chiu (7th left), and other guests cut the ribbon to mark the beginning of this yeara£á?s Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance.

Club Stewards Anthony W K Chow (left) and Michael Lee (right) pictured with the young performers.
Club Stewards Anthony W K Chow (left) and Michael Lee (right) pictured with the young performers.

This yeara£á?s Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance expects to attract thousands of spectators.
This yeara£á?s Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance expects to attract thousands of spectators.

The Club also supports the Tai Hang Residentsa£á? Welfare Association and Conservancy Association Centre for Heritage in organising talks and workshops to raise awareness of this intangible heritage.
The Club also supports the Tai Hang Residentsa£á? Welfare Association and Conservancy Association Centre for Heritage in organising talks and workshops to raise awareness of this intangible heritage.

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