Hong Kong Stories: Echoes of the Border
The “Yulan Festival,” recognized as an item on Hong Kong’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, expresses stories of different communities and places in diverse ways. Turning off Man Kam To Road into Fu Tei Au Tsuen at the border, one can witness how a group of men, under the scorching sun, organize the three-day Yulan Festival. Not only do they uphold tradition by setting up four statues known as “King of Ghosts” (“Grand Master Ye”), but this year, they have also introduced a special new segment to inject fresh ideas into customary rites. Shifting to another village beside Man Kam To Road, the male organizing committee features the presence of a woman, who is also a member of the Fanling Chiu Kiu Yulan Committee. What stories lie behind this male-dominated scene? Under the blazing sky, besides passing on a sense of care to wandering spirits, what warmth can be found among people on earth?
