Multicultural community with a diverse celebratory personality
The festive seasons in Hong Kong are not just about the celebratory spirit; they all foster a profound sense of connection within the community. Each celebration is an incredible and energizing experience that allows people from all walks of life to celebrate and appreciate the beauty of living in a multinational city.
It’s a time when most people stretch themselves a little further in the hopes of connecting through different traditional events that often create space for an inclusive society.
Festive celebrations have always provided an opportunity for crosscultural exchange, tolerance, education, and, most importantly, a way of life. There’s always something unique about how food is prepared, as well as how recipes are preserved for centuries among family members. Traditional attire is also designed and worn in a bespoke and iconic representation of the detail, pride, and fundamental values that express individuality and the unique stories that can be told through the outfits. Musicality is incorporated into the celebrations through different instruments, such as the Shehnai, used during the religious festive season of Diwali. The Shehnai is known to create an aura of grandeur and festivity to the celebrations and unify the community. It has become a prevalent musical instrument and is incorporated and used in local music lessons available around the city.
In my years of living in Hong Kong, I have often found small ways to participate and become part of the local celebratory festivities; I see this as a way of extending my personal experiences as a South African and allowing myself to have fun. Although the city does host several international events that are more directed to a broader audience, there’s something significant and profound in the way there has been consistency in preserving multicultural celebratory seasons; Here are my top 4 festive and celebratory occasions that embody the heart of Hong Kong’s diverse and inclusive culture
Mid-Autumn Festival
2018 was the year that I moved with my family to Hong Kong, and within two weeks, we found ourselves in a street parade in Wan Chai, wondering what was going on. We were happy to see our first dragon show, upbeat drum music, and celebratory noise around town. It was not until the next celebration that I started reading and asking questions about the different types of festivals and their significance for people and Hong Kong. We enjoyed our first taste of mooncake and spending time with friends to celebrate. The Mid-Autumn festival, also known as the Harvest Festival, is celebrated every year during September on the whole moon night and has become one of our favorite festive seasons that we celebrate as a family.
Halloween in Hong Kong
Halloween is not unique to Hong Kong; it has a long history of being celebrated in October of each year. In the years of celebrating it, I have found significance in the fun part of the festive event. Each year we look forward to dressing up, trick or treating, and joining the fun-filled parades with our friends. The most fun we had was creating a ‘car’ costume using boxes so my son could fit in it and pretend to be a doctor in an ambulance!
If you’re new to the community, I recommend you look out for upcoming festive celebrations and visiting the city’s shopping malls. Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park often host themed events and festivals during these times, adding extra excitement to your experience and making you feel included in the vibrant cultural fabric of Hong Kong.
Fireworks for Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year, celebrated during February, has an essential and significant meaning and embodies the heart of the community. It’s an extraordinary moment for us to find ways of acknowledging the New Year and its significance. Every year, we go down to the market and buy small decorative items for the flat and join friends for Chinese New Year lunches in delight with my favorite dumplings, sweet rice balls, and noodles. By far, the most exciting is the fireworks showcase; only a few countries can pull off synchronized fireworks of this magnitude, and each year, we make it a point to go down to Central and join in celebrating and watching the fireworks. The red lanterns across town bring such special significance along with the ‘hongbao’ red packets that we prepare each year. It is always a pleasant experience to ‘give back’ during this time, and to also get the kids involved.
Diwali, a global festive season
As someone born and raised in South Africa, I have always been familiar with Diwali and its widespread and well-known celebratory festivities; I grew up with friends and acquaintances who celebrated Diwali every October. It is known as a traditional festival of new beginnings and rejuvenation, to welcome the new year with the hopes of a season n filled with good luck.
I remember the different exciting stories that my friends would share after their celebrations, and the most exciting for me was the beautiful traditional attire designs, such as the sarees and kurtis with different types of embroidery, sequins, and detail that appeared unique in each design. All of them captured respect for culture, family history, and values. I also remember some of my friends returning to school with the palms of their hands filled with intricate designs. Learning how it was created and why it formed part of the Diwali celebration was very interesting. The symbolism for what is formally called ‘Mehndi’ is a tradition that symbolizes luck, and most often also could be seen on a bride’s palm after their wedding ceremony as a form of celebrating, as well as strengthening the bond between husband and wife. What is also very significant during the celebration is the preparation of Diwali sweets also known as ‘Mithai’, which are famously known to be delightfully sweet, with a fresh and delicious taste. Indian origin sweets symbolize prosperity and happiness, those celebrating share sweets as a way to strengthen bonds between family and friends.
There are many ways that Diwali is celebrated in Hong Kong, given the several-day celebratory period and the many organized functions. Here are the top 3 ways that you can celebrate:
1. Diwali Bazaar is a festival market where you can spend the day browsing and shopping for different types of handmade products, such as candles, traditional Indian jewelry, handicrafts, and more.
2. Diwali Bollywood Nights can also be very fun and something to do with a group of friends. You can look online to see the different types of Bollywood screenings happening around the city or have a more intimate setup of your own.
3.Dinner with friends at a local restaurant while enjoying some local Indian food such as the Old Delhi butter chicken, Kerala fish curry, and kangaroo lamb chops, is also a great way to enjoy the festivities.
Hong Kong will continually expand its festive celebratory seasons and explore ways to find significant moments in sports, cultures, traditions, and other important events. With over 10 well-organized and celebrated festivals annually, I hope you keep exploring and finding memorable festive events that you can cherish as part of your life in Hong Kong
