4 items added to heritage list

June 03, 2011

The Cheung Chau Jiao Festival, the Tai O dragon boat water parade, the Tai Hang fire dragon dance and the Yu Lan Ghost Festival have been added to the third national intangible cultural heritage list.
 
Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing said today the Government will start works to preserve and promote these Hong Kong traditions.
 
They come under the Social Practices, Rituals & Festive Events category in the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
 
“These four items all have unique characteristics and cultural value. In spite of modernisation and urbanisation, they have been passed on from generation to generation and helped maintain the bonds of people in local communities, which has made the events particularly valuable,” Mr Tsang said.
 
“The cultural significance of these four items is recognised by their being inscribed onto the third national list of intangible cultural heritage. We will continue our commitment to preserving and promoting local heritage and will also encourage the participation of the community in supporting the continuation and development of Hong Kong’s traditional culture.”