Jockey Club funds Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance to pass on traditional Chinese culture for the sixth year in a row

09/26/2015

Tai Hang comes alive tonight (26 September) as the crash of cymbals and bang of drums herald the sparkling night parade of the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance. More than 10,000 people are expected to watch the spectacular three-night event, one of Hong Kong’s iconic Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations that takes place annually in Tai Hang and Victoria Park. Inscribed into the China's national list of intangible cultural heritage traditions, this extravaganza has been supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for the past six years in collaboration with the Tai Hang Residents’ Welfare Association.

Officiating guests at tonight's opening ceremony of the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance included Club Steward Dr Eric Li; Under Secretary for Home Affairs Florence Hui; Deputy for Hong Kong Island Office of the Central People's Government Liaison Office in Hong Kong, Li Kai-gang; Wan Chai District Officer Angela Luk; and Tai Hang Residents’ Welfare Association Chairman Leung Wai-tack.

The Fire Dragon Dance started in 1880.  The tradition is believed to drive away infectious diseases and bring good fortune.  It was inscribed in the national list of intangible cultural heritage in 2011. “The Jockey Club has long put stress on cultural preservation and heritage and is delighted to have supported the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance for six consecutive years and run educational programmes in parallel to share the enjoyment with the neighbourhood, as well as provide our youth with a chance to learn about the history and skills of the Fire Dragon Dance, as part of efforts to maintain and pass on this fine example of traditional Chinese culture,” Dr Li said. 

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has supported to preserve the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance since 2010, and began to support other intangible cultural heritage items such as the Cheung Chau Jiao Festival and the Tai O Traditional Dragon Boat Water Parade in 2012. The Trust has donated some  HK$3.1 million to preserve the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance. The Trust has also supported the Conservancy Association Centre for Heritage to organise an Intangible Cultural Heritage Education Programme that promotes public awareness of the cultural heritage items by holding workshops on such topics as the history of the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance and the making of a fire dragon. This year’s related workshop and talk were held earlier this month.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse racing operator and Hong Kong’s largest community benefactor, as well as one of Asia’s most prestigious membership clubs. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Club allocates its surplus funds for charitable and community projects. In 2014/15, its donations reached a record $3.87 billion, and in the last decade alone it supported over 1,300 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$20.05 billion in 2014/15. With about 70% of its revenue given back to society every year through donations and tax contributions, The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a significantly higher return to the community than any other racing and/or sports betting organisation in the world. As a socially responsible organisation, the Club helps Government combat illegal betting and advocates responsible gambling. The Club is also one of Hong Kong’s largest employers with over 24,000 full-time and part-time staff. 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.