"Fun in ICH" Series – 2021 

 

Talk cum Demonstration of Wood Carving Technique (Live Streaming)

In association with the Hong Kong Museum of History

 

Wood carving technique involves the art of wood engraving and wooden religious figure carving. The steps for making a wooden religious figure include selecting wood, chiselling the blank, carving the body, carving the head, drawing powder lines, carving decorative features and carving the appearance and colouring. It is not an easy task to carve a vivid religious figure. This talk will briefly explain the history and techniques of wood carving as well as its relationship with religious worship. The speaker will also share his personal experience in wood carving and demonstrate the techniques of carving a head figure of Kwan Kung (Kwan Tai), with a view to introducing the participants to the artistic and cultural values of this traditional craft.

 

 

 

Talk on the Indigenous Languages and Folk Songs of Hong Kong (Live Streaming)

Co-organised by the Hong Kong Public Libraries

 

Before the 19th century, Hong Kong residents spoke six or seven indigenous languages, among which Wai Tau and Hakka were the most spoken dialects. The language cultures of these residents were different from those of the Cantonese immigrants who came to Hong Kong after the mid-19th century. With influences of economic development, urbanization, integration and other factors, the indigenous languages in Hong Kong have rapidly declined. This talk will give a brief introduction to Wai Tau and Hakka as well as the folk songs of these dialects.

 

 

 

Talk on "the Ordinary and Extraordinary of the Jiao Festivals in the New Territories of Hong Kong" (Hybrid Format)

In association with the Hong Kong Museum of History

 

This talk explores the universality, differences, and variability of Chinese folk religion, taking rituals in the Jiao Festivals held in different areas of Hong Kong before the 21st century as a starting point. The functions and symbolic meanings of the religious rituals have changed because of population changes in the local communities and urbanization, and they are constantly adjusted as a result of interpretations by different stakeholders. The talk provides an understanding of the interactive relationship between regular ritual arrangements and the negotiability of the stakeholders of the festival through long-term field studies of the Jiao Festivals.

 

 

 

Talk on "Hung Kuen in Hong Kong"

Co-organised by the Hong Kong Public Libraries

 

During the Second World War, northern and southern martial art styles entered Hong Kong one after the other. Hong Kong once became a major focal point where northern and southern martial arts converged and were even exported overseas. Hung Kuen, regarded as the leading martial art among the five sects in Guangdong, namely "Hung, Liu, Choi, Lee and Mok", is still practiced today by many people in Hong Kong and overseas, and also forms an important part of popular culture in Hong Kong. This talk will cover the stories behind the reshaping of Hung Kuen in Hong Kong in the 20th century and will acquaint participants with the characteristics and transmission of Hung Kuen.

 

 

 

Talk on "The Connection between Hong Kong Cantonese Opera Costumes and Contemporary Art"

Cantonese opera is Hong Kong's precious world-class intangible cultural heritage, and the techniques used to make Cantonese opera costumes are also one of our local intangible cultural heritage items. The glorious history of Cantonese opera and the costume-making industry in post-war Hong Kong is also worthy to be remembered. The Cantonese opera costumes were modelled after the clothing of the Song and Ming dynasties. Over the years, with the development of Cantonese opera, the design concept and the use of materials of the costumes have been integrating old and new. This talk introduces the history, the main costume-making techniques, and the art and cultural value of Cantonese opera costumes.

 

 

 

Talk cum Demonstration on Guangcai Making Technique

In association with the Hong Kong Museum of History

 

The Canton Famille Rose Porcelain, also known as Guangcai, refers to the craftworks painted with patterns on white porcelain and then fired. The making process involves drawing encircling lines and outlines, painting with colours and glost firing. The making of guangcai porcelains requires continuous practices and extreme concentration, so as to master one or more patterns. In this talk, Mrs. Betty Ho will introduce the history, the equipment required and different patterns of guangcai. Besides, with demonstration by Mr Cheung Kam-ping, participants will have a better understanding of this craftsmanship and the way to appreciate the beauty.

 

 

 

Talk on "The Past and Present of the Yu Lan Festival of the Chiu Chow Community" (Hybrid Format)

In association with the Hong Kong Museum of History

 

 

Talk on "The History, Culture and Conservation of Sam Tung Uk in Tsuen Wan" (Hybrid Format)

The Sam Tung Uk Museum was originally a 200-year-old Hakka walled house, founded by the Chan clan in Tsuen Wan. It was declared a monument in 1981. In 2016, the museum turned to be a centre for display and promotion of the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) of Hong Kong as well. This talk introduces the origin of the Chan clan, the founding of Sam Tung Uk and its architectural form and structure. It also covers the connections between the museum and the ICH of the Chinese community in the New Territories, thus providing the participants with a comprehensive understanding of this cultural venue, which blends tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

 

 

 

Talk on "Chinese Almanac: The Effective Ways to Use Tung Shing" (Hybrid Format)