"Meet the Masters!" Series 2026 - First Season (Completed)

Celebratory Harmony．Bountiful Blessings

 

 

Programmes in January 2026 

 

Hong Kong is home to a vibrant array of traditional festivals. Through diverse customs, rituals, and celebrations, people express their respect for ancestors and deities, and convey their wishes for peace and prosperity. By organising and participating in these festivals, community members strengthen bonds, preserve social cohesion, and pass on traditional culture from generation to generation.

 

This season, the "Meet the Masters!" series under the theme "Celebratory Harmony．Bountiful Blessings" will explore several traditional festivals and practices, including Spring and Autumn Ancestral Worship of Clans, the Jiao Festival, the Tin Hau Festival, and the Kwun Yum (Goddess of Mercy) Treasury Opening Festival. The series aims to deepen participants' understanding of these local traditional festivals and their related intangible cultural heritage.

 

 

Three Sacrificial Offerings and Wine Ceremony: Talk of the Spring and Autumn Ancestral Worship of Clans

The Spring and Autumn Ancestral Worship of Clans is a traditional custom still faithfully observed by many founding clans in Hong Kong's New Territories. Every year during spring and (or) autumn equinox or the fourth and ninth lunar month every year—clan members prepare three sacrificial offerings and wine, gathering either at ancestral halls or visiting hilltop ancestral graves to express filial piety and pay tribute to their ancestors.

 

This talk will share the key steps and stories of the Spring and Autumn Ancestral Worship of Clans. It will also feature a demonstration of selected rituals and explore the role of lineage clans in cultural inheritance.

 

 

 

Gratitude for Homeland: Talk of Kam Tin Heung Jiao Festival

The Jiao Festival is also known as "Da Chiu". The aim is to express gratitude to the deities for their blessings and for helping to keep peace in the area. The festival is held at different intervals in different places. Kam Tin Heung Jiao Festival in Yuen Long, which originated in the Qing dynasty, is a grand religious event held every ten years by the Tang Clan of Kam Tin in the New Territories to express gratitude to the deities Chou (Zhou You-de) Wong (Wang Lai-ren) Yi Kung for their divine benevolence. The festival brings together several elements of Hong Kong's intangible cultural heritage.

 

Marking its 34th iteration in December of 2025, this talk will review the festival, explore the ritual's historical origins, ceremonial practices, and social significance. The speaker will also share the experience and insights of organising the Jiao Festival.

 

 

 

Jiao Inheritance: Talk of Tai Po Lam Tsuen Heung Jiao Festival

Since the construction of the Tin Hau Temple during the Qianlong era, Lam Tsuen Heung in Tai Po has established the tradition of holding the Jiao Festival once every ten years. It has lasted for over two centuries since then. Although termed "once every ten years", the event is actually held at nine-year intervals. In December 2026, Lam Tsuen Heung will again celebrate the festival. During the Jiao Festival, villagers are prohibited from cutting trees and killing animals, and the entire community practices abstinence and ritual purification. Taoist priests are invited to recite scriptures and offer prayers for blessings, expressing gratitude to the deities. The community also makes food offerings to wandering spirits and performs Cantonese opera to delight both gods and humans, praying for harmony, good weather, and peace for all.

 

This talk will illustrate the historical origins, ceremonial practices and cultural significance of the Tai Po Lam Tsuen Heung Jiao Festival. It will also introduce the preparation of Jiao Festival and share the experiences and stories on passing on the tradition and intangible cultural heritage.

 

 

 

Voyage of Blessing: Talk of the Tin Hau Festival in Leung Shuen Wan, Sai Kung

The Sai Kung Leung Shuen Wan Tin Hau Festival is divided into two scales, a "big festival" in even-numbered years and a "small festival" in odd-numbered years. During the "big festival", the Temple Management Committee holds the Jiao Festival and Tin Hau Festival from the 19th to the 24th day of the third lunar month, all to express gratitude to the goddess Tin Hau for her protection, and pray for favorable weather and maritime safety. The event features performances of Cantonese opera, as well as a series of traditional ceremonies such as submission of petitions, altar inaugurations, processions, and offerings to wandering spirits. There is also the sea parade for Tin Hau, which is a major feature of this festival.

 

The Tin Hau Festival will be held in May 2026. This talk aims to introduce the origins and development of the celebratory rituals, its cultural significance and inheritance.

 

 

 

The Mercy of Kwun Yum: Talk of the Kwun Yum (Goddess of Mercy) Treasury Opening Festival

Legend has it that the 26th day of the first lunar month is the day that Kwun Yum (Goddess of Mercy) opens her treasury. Worshippers bring with them offerings, including paper clothing offerings to Kwun Yum, wishing placard and joss paper, and visit Kwun Yum Temples. After praying to Kwun Yum for blessings and wealth, worshippers proceed to pick up a red packet with a number or auspicious words in it. The ritual is known as "Borrowing from the Treasury". They will return the borrowed amount before the Treasury Opening Festival of the following year.

 

This talk will introduce the folk rituals, historical origins and cultural significance of the Kwun Yum Treasury Opening, as well as its relationship with the folk belief of Kwun Yum and the local community. Participants can thus learn more about this intangible cultural heritage item.

 

 

 

Programmes in February 2026

 

Hong Kong is home to a vibrant array of traditional festival elements, such as lantern crafting, sticking hui chun (spring scrolls) and the Che Kung (General Che) Festival. During the Chinese New Year, people decorate with lanterns and festive ornaments, creating a joyful atmosphere that highlights the intricate craftsmanship of lantern crafting. In addition to admiring various lanterns, every household also puts up hui chun to express their hopes for the new year. Many worshippers also visit the Che Kung Temple to offer incense and spin windmills, to pray for smooth sailing and good fortune in the coming year.

 

This season, the "Meet the Masters!" series features the theme "Celebratory Harmony．Bountiful Blessings". Programmes of February 2026 will introduce lantern crafting, sticking hui chun (spring scrolls) and the Che Kung (General Che) Festival. The series aims to deepen participants' understanding of the local intangible cultural heritage.

 

 

Inheriting the Lanterns of Splendour: Talk and Demonstration on the Lantern Crafting Technique

Lanterns are commonly seen during the Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival and celebratory lantern lighting rituals. Traditional lanterns use bamboo frameworks covered with paper or fabric, with candles or oil lamps serving as the light source.

 

This talk will outline the historical development and cultural significance of lantern-making, and its role in important festive occasions. The speaker will explain the main crafting process and technique, and also demonstrate some crafting steps.

 

 

 

Festive Joy in Chinese New Year Blessing: Talk on Sticking Hui Chun (Spring Scrolls)

Towards the end of the lunar year, households put up new hui chun to express their blessings and wishes for the new year. Many shops continue the custom of presenting hui chun to customers, conveying blessings and good wishes through auspicious phrases. In this age of mass printing, street stalls where calligraphers write hui chun on the spot can still be found in Hong Kong. Handwritten hui chun is a practice that remains widely cherished by the public.

 

To celebrate the Chinese New Year, this talk will introduce the historical development of hui chun sticking and its cultural significance in our society. The speaker will also demonstrate how to write hui chun in different types of layouts, as well as the content and calligraphy.

 

 

 

Windmill Spinning: Talk on the Che Kung (General Che) Festival

Every year on the second day of the Chinese New Year, worshippers visit the Ho Chung Che Kung Temple in Sai Kung and the Sha Tin Che Kung Temple to worship the deity, spin windmills, and beat drums, praying for smooth sailing and good fortune in the coming year.

 

This talk will introduce the historical legends, rituals, and cultural significance of the Che Kung (General Che) Festival, and explain the relationship between the Ho Chung Che Kung Temple in Sai Kung, the Sha Tin Che Kung Temple, and the Che Kung (General Che) Festival, enhancing participants' understanding of this intangible cultural heritage item.

 

 

 

Programmes in March 2026

 

Hong Kong is home to a vibrant array of traditional festivals. Through various customs, rituals and celebrations, people express their well-wishes for the future, and pay respect to ancestors and deities. Hoi Luk Fung families share vegetable tea during Chinese New Year to convey blessings to relatives and friends. Villagers in Yim Tin Tsai take part in the Feast Day holding thanksgiving rites and celebratory events to maintain bonds and share the lord. Some villages still preserve the custom of performing unicorn dance, which is believed to ward off evil, the enshrinement ceremony is held for the newly paper-crafted unicorns. Different communities hold the Jiao Festival with various cycles to thank deities for their protection and to ritually purify the community.

 

This season, the "Meet the Masters!" series features the theme "Celebratory Harmony．Bountiful Blessings". Programmes of March 2026 will introduce local intangible culture heritage items, including vegetable tea, Feast Day, enshrinement ceremony for the Chinese unicorn and Jiao Festival.

 

 

Festive Aroma: Demonstration and Sharing on the Vegetable Tea

Vegetable tea is a signature festive dish of the Hoi Luk Fung/ Hoklo community, served when friends visit and families gather, during the Chinese New Year as a symbol of reunion and auspicious blessings. Combining a variety of vegetables, meat, and seafood, the dish reflects careful collaboration in preparation, from chopping and stir-frying to pounding the tea base before everything is mixed and shared.

 

This activity will introduce the history and cultural significance of vegetable tea and its place in Hoi Luk Fung/ Hoklo traditions, alongside demonstrate its distinctive methods of preparation.

 

 

 

Covenantal Heritance: Sharing on the Yim Tin Tsai Feast Day

Villagers of Yim Tin Tsai in Sai Kung hold both Hakka and Catholic cultures. United by shared ancestors and faith, they return to the island on the first Sunday of May each year to take part in the Feast Day, gathering together for a solemn mass. The day typically includes a procession, shared meals, performances, and games, all of which help maintain community bonds and share the lord.

 

This activity will introduce the historical origins and main rituals of the Feast Day, and explain its role in the religious and communal life of Yim Tin Tsai. It will also explore how the celebration reflects the encounter between Chinese and Western cultures.

 

 

 

Auspicious Consecration: Sharing and Demonstration on the Enshrinement Ceremony for the Chinese Unicorn

The Chinese unicorn is a traditional auspicious creature symbolising good fortune. The enshrinement ceremony is held for the newly-crafted unicorn before it takes part in traditional festivals. The "bite green" ritual symbolises purity and benevolence, while the unicorn dance is believed to ward off evil, drive away misfortune and purify the community.

 

This activity will provide an in-depth introduction to the Chinese unicorn's cultural significance, craftsmanship, and the enshrinement ceremony, including a live demonstration of part of the ceremony.

 

 

 

Blessing for the Community: Sharing on the Tai Po Tai Hang Jiao Festival

The Tai Hang Jiao Festival in Tai Po is believed to have a history of over a century, with villagers still following the traditional Jiao register to hold the large-scale ritual every five years as a prayer for peace and protection. Besides different rituals, it accompanies with the Cantonese opera performances staged as offerings to the deities and bringing joy to people.

 

The most recent Tai Hang Jiao Festival was held in December 2025. Drawing on historical photographs and field documentation, this activity will outline the full ritual sequence, altar arrangements and opera schedule, while also examining the village organisations and beliefs that sustain the festival.

 

 

 

 

"Meet the Masters!" Series 2026 - Second Season (Completed)

Guarding Traditions Through Martial Arts

 

 

Programmes in April 2026

 

Hong Kong's traditional martial arts boast a long history, encompassing profound combat skills and wealth of cultural wisdom. From Hung Gar Kuen Style, Yip Man Wing Chun to Tai Chi Chuan, Choi Lee Fat Fist and Tai Shing Pek Kwar Moon Style (Monkey and Axe Hammer Style), and other martial arts practices, they are not only practices that strengthen the body and cultivate the spirit, but also embody values of respect for masters, devotion to community and country, and forging of social bonds. Through master-disciple lineages, training in martial arts schools and shared through public demonstrations, these precious martial arts–related intangible cultural heritage (ICH) continue to thrive in Hong Kong and bear witness to the city's evolving community life.

 

This season, the "Meet the Masters!" Series features the theme "Guarding Traditions Through Martial Arts". Programmes from April to June 2026 will invite local martial arts groups and masters to introduce the origins, distinctive features and cultural significance of their respective styles, deepening public understanding of local martial arts–related ICH and its living transmission.

 

 

Tiger and Crane in Harmony: Sharing and Demonstration on Hung Gar Kuen Style

Hong Kong Hung Gar Kuen Style stems from the Wong Fei-hung lineage. Routines include the Kung Chi Fuk Fu Fist (Taming the Tiger Fist), the Fu Hok Seung Ying Fist (Tiger Crane Paired Form Fist), the Seung Tau Gwun (Double Headed Stick), the Single Knife, the Ng Ying Fist (Five Animals Fist), the Double Knife, the Tit Sin Kuen (Iron Wire Fist) and the Dan Tau Kwan (Single Headed Stick), blending tiger power and crane agility for practical combat and health cultivation.

 

This activity will demonstrate basic stances, bridging techniques and power generation, allowing participants to experience the style's harmonious hardness and softness, as well as the values of loyalty, respect for masters and community-based transmission embodied in the local community.

 

 

 

Linked Mantis Moves: Sharing and Demonstration on Tanglangquan (Northern Praying Mantis)

Tanglangquan (Northern Praying Mantis) is known for its hooking and seizing techniques inspired by the praying mantis, featuring agile body movement, rapid footwork and continuous combinations of long and short range attacks.

 

This activity will introduce the origins, distinctive characteristics and development of Tanglangquan (Northern Praying Mantis) in Hong Kong. Live demonstrations will showcase signature hand techniques such as "gou" (hook), "lou" (grab), "tsai" (pluck), "biao" (thrust), "tan" (flick), as well as short routines that show how timing and angles are used to maintain continuous offence and defence. Participants will gain an appreciation of the style's blend of power and finesse, and how this northern system continues to thrive as part of Hong Kong's martial arts heritage through school training and public competitions.

 

 

 

Softness Overcoming Hardness: Sharing and Demonstration on Yip Man Wing Chun

Yip Man Wing Chun is renowned for its "short bridges, narrow stances" and close-range rapid strikes. Through training stages such as "Siu Nim Tau" (Little Idea form), "Chum Kiu" ("bridging" or "seeking" arms form) and "Chishou" (Sticky Hands), it emphasises quick reflexes and one-inch power.

 

This activity will trace the development of Yip Man Wing Chun in Hong Kong and introduce its origins, fundamental principles and training methods. Illustrating how efficient body alignment, angles and motion are used to control an opponent, the instructors will demonstrate classic routines including "Chishou" (Sticky Hands) and the wooden dummy practice. Participants will gain insight into how Yip Man Wing Chun has evolved from local martial arts schools to gain global recognition, becoming one of the significant representatives of Hong Kong's martial arts heritage.

 

 

 

The above programmes are also the activities of the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. The LCSD has long been promoting Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public to learn more about broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit https://www.ccpo.gov.hk/en/.