Forum February 2023: Supporting Hong Kong Culture, Traditions, Language and Festivities
As part of the integration, not only are the Hong Kongers eager to be part of the local community, they are also ready to show the others about Hong Kong culture and traditions and contribute to the cultural diversity. A recent survey shows preserving Hong Kong culture and language to their next generation is one of the Hong Kong new arrivals’ major concerns.
We are honoured to have Zoe Chan of In Common Breath, a bookstore in Beeston, Calvin Tatara of Museum of Hong Kong, host of Hong Kong Festival activities in the UK and Isaac Cheng of Hong Kong Umbrella Community/ Hong Kong March Cultural Festival, which would run through the entire month of March, to speak in the forum. All of them play an important role in promoting the Hong Kong culture and traditions in the country.
The forum covered efforts in various areas related to the topic. Zoe Chan of In Common Breath shared about her work and observations on language learning, Hong Kong literature and custom Cheongsam promotion. As noticed by Zoe and agreed by many of the Forum’s members, there are needs for children from Hong Kong families to learn Cantonese. Meanwhile, there are local residents who want to learn the language and understand the culture. In addition, more effort and support will be needed to support Hong Kong literature such as funding to support the literature translation from Hongkongese/Traditional Chinese to English.
Followed by Calvin of Museum of Hong Kong, he talked about the vision of the organisation and Hong Kong Festival. He also introduced the elements in the Festival including a Hong Kong style cafe to demonstrate the Hong Kong food, drinks and pop music in the 1960s. The 10th Festival (the first 8 Festivals were held in Hong Kong) in January this year is attended by guests from diverse backgrounds, this facilitates idea and culture interchange. By addressing the difficulties in promoting Hong Kong history and culture, the Museum of Hong Kong stresses Hong Kong culture is not an alien culture to the country, but a mixture of Cantonese and English culture because of its colonial history.
Last but not least, Isaac Cheng of Hong Kong Umbrella Community/ Hong Kong March Cultural Festival introduced Hong Kong March, the annual cultural festival which will debut in March this year. Joined by many Hong Kong groups and merchants, various activities will be launched across the country throughout the month. Isaac shared the Festival’s vision being to offer opportunities for the local residents to understand Hong Kong culture and customs and show the uniqueness of the culture. By encouraging Hong Kongers to invite their neighbours and friends to join, it also serves as a platform for Hong Kongers and others to get to know each other and build a stronger community bonding.
Followed by the sharings from the three speakers, forum members from different parts of the country had a fruitful and promising discussion on what can be done further to support Hong Kong culture. While some updated the group about their current and future work in the area, members also discussed the opportunity for collaborative effort.