Fire dragon dances, classical literature-inspired performances and traditional tea-plucking opera will be featured at "Encountering Chinese Culture" Carnival on June 22, as part of Hong Kong’s Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2025.

Organized by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the free event at Sha Tin Town Hall and New Town Plaza will highlight both mainland and local intangible cultural heritage (ICH) through interactive exhibits and performances.

The carnival opens at 2pm with Pok Fu Lam Village's fire dragon dance at New Town Plaza, followed by previews of CCF programs like "The Sounds from Cultural Relics" museum series, a classical literature-dance fusion titled "Ancient Styles ‧ Modern Chants” and a concert featuring traditional Shaanxi opera – "Taisheng and Huayin Lao Qiang: Big Uncle, Second Uncle are All His Uncles".

Coinciding with Hong Kong ICH Month, the event also includes Jiangxi's Gannan Art Institute performing Xingguo folk songs, tea-plucking opera and Hakka dances, while local puppeteer Wong Fai will present a "Journey to the West – Flaming Mountain" shadow puppet show.

Interactive booths will demonstrate crafts like cheongsam tailoring and gold leaf decoration, with workshops on movable-type printing and fishing net weaving.

The LCSD's "Mobile ICH" vehicle and a "Library-on-Wheels" will offer exhibits and Chinese culture books at the Plaza of Sha Tin Town Hall, complemented by storytelling sessions using ICH-themed picture books.

A trainee ensemble from the Music Office will perform on traditional instruments like the pipa and erhu at the Entrance Arena of New Town Plaza. The ensemble will also stage Chinese instrumental performances at the Foyer of Sha Tin Town Hall.

Concurrent activities include a roving exhibition on Chinese character evolution and Jiangxi's photo exhibition promoting its Hakka heritage at Sha Tin Town Hall, linking to a larger ICH display at Hong Kong Central Library.

(Ayra Wang)

Fire dragon dances, opera to headline Chinese Culture Carnival in Sha Tin