Hong Kong Events
Festivals, competitions and other interesting happenings.
Tuen Ng Festival (Dragon Boat Festival)
Tuen Ng Festival or the Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese festival held each year on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese calendar. In western date, that would be June 8 in 2008.
Origins
There are many findings about the origin of the festival. Legend has it that the patriotic scholar-statesman Chu Yuan committed suicide (by drowning) to protest against the emperor. People respected Chu Yuan and when they heard that he had drowned, they jumped on boats to search for him. As they failed to find him, they started to hit the drums and make a lot of noise to scare the fish so that they won’t eat Chu Yuan. Also they tossed cooked rice in the river so that the fish won’t eat the poor man’s body. They started to wrap the cooked rice in bamboo leaves which evolved in today’s rice dumplings.
Date: February 7th, 2008 |
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Lights Out in Hong Kong
Tonight’s the night for Hong Kong’s lights Out” campaign to focus attention on the deteriorating air quality in Hong Kong.
Not everyone is participating, though. Chief Executive Donald Tsang has opted out because he says it “could give adverse publicity to Hong Kong…” This means the Symphony of Lights will go on as usual at 8:00 PM.
Those participating will turn their lights out for three minutes at 8:00 PM in order to draw attention to the pollution issue in Hong Kong. I’m not sure that just stepping outside and taking a deep breath won’t do the job but activists will be …
Date: August 7th, 2006 |
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Protesting the Tiananmen Square Crack-down
June fourth marks the 17 year anniversary of Chinese troops violently ending the democratic demonstrations in Tiananmen Square. Hong Kong’s Victoria Park is the only place on Chinese soil where candles are lit every year in memory of the hundreds that were killed that night.
Victoria Park, June 4, 2006
The organizers estimated that 44,000 people attended the event. The police put the figure at 19,000. Donald Tsang, Hong Kong’s CEO was out of town but put out a statement basically suggesting that the whole matter be put in …
Date: June 5th, 2006 |
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O.K., the Sevens Weren’t Perfect.
Aunty Edna from Thailand writes that it was disappointing that there was only Heineken beer available except for a couple Carlsberg stalls.
I would like to add my own complaint that the outlawing of beer drinking in the upper stands is another needless “Big Brother” protection. If I drink too much beer, I’m just as likely to hurt myself in the lower stands as the upper.
Aunty Edna’s unexpurgated comments follow:
Date: April 9th, 2006 |
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Temple Protest March or Why Hong Kong Is More Democratic Than People Realize
Nine days until the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens!
Last Sunday, as on many Sundays, there was a protest march in Hong Kong. Forty years ago, some of the residents of Kwun Tong established three temples. Now, it seems the government wants to build a fly-over and the temples are in the way plus they are illegal structures. The government says they will move the temples to a near-by site.
But, “No!” cry the residents. These temples have seen us through many hardships and moving them would negatively affect the area’s fung shui. In addition we consulted the gods on the plan through traditional rituals and the god’s answer was, “No!”
Date: March 23rd, 2006 |
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Food Is All in Hong Kong
I recently attended the Hong Kong Food Expo at the Convention Center.
My wife, Pam, and I intended to go on Sunday afternoon, thinking it would be a pleasant way of killing a rainy PM, snacking our way around the hundreds of exhibitor booths.
WRONG! The crush to get anywhere near the entrance was such that we decided to hit the nearby Pacific Coffee outlet and have a light lunch.
The next day, which was the last day of the Expo, I decided to see what all the excitement was about. I figured since it was Monday and the last day the crowds would have diminshed considerably.
Date: August 23rd, 2006 |
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Marching for Democracy or Not!
Yesterday, July 1, was the 9th anniversary of the British hand-over of Hong Kong to the Chinese government. It was marked by two very different celebrations.
Date: July 2nd, 2006 |
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Ten Things to do in Hong Kong, #1
Thanks to M at the Fringe, an extremely fine and inventive restaurant, for the inspiration to attempt to pick ten things that are not usually found in guidebooks and are aimed primarily at residents and then offer the list to tourists also. I must acknowledge that I have used the M at the Fringe list as a springboard for my list.
I doubt that I will limit myself to ten items in the long run but it is a start. I also freely admit that I have not done all of these things myself but, if I have not done something, I certainly wish I had or I plan to do it someday.
The list is ordered randomly so pick any item to begin to build your own list.
Date: May 28th, 2006 |
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Sevens Rugby Comes Back Home to Hong Kong
Five days until the 30th staging of the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens.
In 1976, at the Hong Kong Football Club, a tournament was launched, featuring a new game, invented to allow Hong Kong with its small population to compete at Rugby, The Hong Kong Rugby Sevens.
Lots of Action in the Stands
Date: March 26th, 2006 |
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Pianist Excites Audience - In Hong Kong (Believe it or not)
11 days until the Hong Kong Sevens!
Last Saturday night I attended a performance featuring The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra with guest artist, pianist, Kirill Gerstein, a last minute substitute for Boris Berezovsky, playing Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 3. The orchestra warmed us up with Sibelius’s “Finlandia” and his Third Symphony before Mr. Gerstein excited us all with his mastery of the popular Concerto.
The audience was so enthusiastic, Mr. Gerstein returned for two encores. I’ve been to many Classical music concerts but I can’t remember the last time I saw the featured artist actually responding to the audience by playing additional pieces. The myth that Hong Kong audiences are not capable of being moved was exploded again.
Date: March 21st, 2006 |
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