The Hong Kong Lotus Festival 2024 burgeons at Po Lin Monastery with 400 varieties of lotus and a host of activities themed on lotus culture

The 2024 Hong Kong Lotus Festival, organized by Po Lin Monastery, the Institute of Horticulture (Hong Kong) and Sing Tao News Corporation, features an enchanting array of lotus numbering 400 varieties in over 6,000 pots. The floral extravaganza is open to the public until 2 July 2024 and is free of charge.

Held for the second time at Po Lin Monastery, Lantau Island, this colorful show spans from Po Lin Monastery to The Big Buddha and Di Tan Square. New elements on the lotus theme have been incorporated this year, including a traditional Chinese tea ceremony to show respect to parents as a token of filial piety; demonstrations on taking photos of lotus flowers with a mobile phone; and bolstering physical, mental and spiritual well-being through ‘Step by Step Lotus Health and Happiness Walk’ and ‘Lotus Five Senses Healing Exhibition’.

In addition to lotus appreciation, a series of lotus-themed cultural activities have been specially organised for public participation, including photography competition, lotus calligraphy, painting and photography exhibition, floral art exhibition, Chinese tea ceremony, the soothing sounds of singing bowls, Chinese guzheng music performance, hand-on pottery, ikebana art, handmade incense workshop, and more.

At the opening ceremony, Master Jing Yin, Abbot of  Po Lin Monastery, shared the background for holding the lotus exhibition: “Located on Ngong Ping Plateau, Po Lin Monastery is surrounded by mountains and resembles a lotus platform. The monastery is also popularly known as the ‘Holy Land of Lotus’ where the lotus is ubiquitous. The lotus is also close to the heart of the Chinese people and cherished by one and all.  Embedding the cultural values of the Monastery and of Hong Kong, the Festival, we hope, can serve as a promotional vehicle for us across the globe.”

The exhibition has again received staunch support from Thailand with its assembly of 20 varieties of Thai water lilies, according to Mr Chaturont Chaiyakam, Consul General of Thailand in Hong Kong: “Through this event, we are pleased to introduce Thailand’s unique lotus varieties and Thai culture to the people of Hong Kong and mainland China.”

In response to the phenomenal success of the inaugural festival last year, Sing Tao News Corporation is committed to backing the festival, nurturing it into a major event in Hong Kong’s tourism calendar, and attracting tourists from all over the world. Dr Cai Jin, CEO and Publisher of Sing Tao News Corporation, pointed out that, as Hong Kong’s longest-established media group, Sing Tao is dedicated to promoting close interaction with the Greater Bay Area (GBA). “The expansion of this year’s festival into the GBA is a testament to our dedication to advancing with the times, and determination to expand our geographic coverage and influence in the rapidly evolving media industry,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, Ms Choy So-yuk, Honorary President of  the Institute of Horticulture (Hong Kong), expressed her relief and joy that, despite the heavy rains and changeable weather, the lotus has blossomed well this year, resulting in a more fruitful year and a higher quality of exhibits.

Finally, Ms Florence Tsui Ho-fun, President of  the Institute of Horticulture (Hong Kong) has provided some useful tips on lotus appreciation: “Focus not only on the color and shape of the flowers, but also on the leaves which complement the blossoms and act as a cradle for the crystal-clear water droplets.”

Highlights of  the festival opening ceremony included a dance troupe from Thailand performing a traditional ‘Umbrella Dance’; 40 students from Buddhist Fat Ho Memorial College performing a tea ceremony to thank their parents; students from the same school reciting  Zhou Dunyi’s famous poem “On the Love of the Lotus” in Cantonese, Putonghua and English; and a dance performance ‘Journey of Discovery’ by students from Buddhist Cheung Mui Kwai Kindergarten.