Hong Kong to Launch First ICH Month in June, Showcasing Cultural Heritage Activities and Events.

LCSD launches first Hong Kong ICH Month in June

​In the 2024 Policy Address, the Chief Executive proposed organising Hong Kong ICH Month to promote the safeguarding and passing on of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). In support of the annual Cultural and Natural Heritage Day on the second Saturday of June designated by the country, the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office (ICHO) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will launch the first Hong Kong ICH Month in June with the theme of ICH Around Town, presenting a series of rich and diversified activities involving over 80 ICH performances, 60 interactive experiential booths and 20 ICH Highlight Tours to give the public and tourists greater insight into the ICH of Hong Kong and the Mainland, and enable them to experience the cultural richness of ICH and the pleasure it brings.

​Activities throughout the month will cover over 100 ICH items and bring together over 50 ICH practitioners, including representative bearers of national ICH. This annual ICH month is expected to attract over 100 000 participants.

​Among the fascinating activities to be held during Hong Kong ICH Month 2025, the free ICH Highlight Tours will bring the public and tourists to six selected districts, namely Yau Tsim Mong, Tsuen Wan, Tai Po, Sha Tin, Eastern and the Islands, and explore special ICH of the communities. Registration will open on May 16 and details will be announced later. Information maps and guides of the ICH Highlight Tours as well as videos will be rolled out at the end of May to help the public and tourists learn more about the relevant ICH items in these districts.

​Carnivals or fun days will be held in various districts across Hong Kong on several weekends and Sundays in June, which will be suitable for all ages. Under the theme of ICH festive events across Hong Kong, the Hong Kong ICH Month 2025 Opening Ceremony cum ICH Carnival to be held on May 31 and June 1 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza, and will have performances including Hakka unicorn dance in Hang Hau in Sai Kung, floating colours parade in Cheung Chau, Engor, Cantonese opera excerpts and dragon/lion dance. There will also be interactive booths showcasing Yip Man Wing Chun; rowing of dragon boat on land, which is a part of Hoi Luk Fung/Hoklo traditional wedding ceremonies (dragon boat dance); and unicorn dance, etc.

​The ICH Infinity∞ Fun Day at the Hong Kong ICH Centre in Sam Tung Uk Museum in Tsuen Wan, scheduled for June 14 and 15, will present an ICH fashion show and Nanyin performances with a fusion of tradition and innovation. Interactive booths featuring blown sugar and face threading techniques will also be available.

​The Vibrant ICH will be held at the New Town Plaza and Sha Tin Town Hall on June 22. Under the theme of "ICH Encounter: Hong Kong X Jiangxi", in addition to performances and booths featuring Hong Kong ICH items including the Pok Fu Lam fire dragon dance, puppetry and the Chinese brush making technique, there will also be performances of the representative items of the national ICH such as Gannan traditional tea plucking opera and Xingguo mountain song.

​The ICH Flavours Carnival to be held at Oil Street Art Space on June 28 and 29 will feature the food culture of ICH. Participants can experience the making techniques of Jiangxi Gannan Hakka pounded tea, shrimp paste blocks and shrimp paste, sweet potato cake and rice dumpling with lye at the workshops and booths.

​Another highlight is the "Genesis and Spirit - Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition on Jiangxi's Ganzhou Hakka Culture" (tentative title) at the Hong Kong Central Library, which runs from June 14 to July 1. The exhibition will introduce representative Hakka-related ICH items of Ganzhou in Jiangxi, together with around 40 other representative ICH items from the province. During the exhibition period, there will be over 40 performances, demonstrations, interactive experiential activities, talks, etc.

​The LCSD will collaborate with the cultural promotion organisation ICH June to hold a seminar on the theme of "Safeguarding and Developing ICH at the Same Time" at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum on June 14. Scholars and ICH bearers from the Guangdong-Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) will be invited to participate and explore the transmission and development of ICH in the GBA from an academic perspective. A "public unconference" will also take place on the same day to engage secondary school students, tertiary students, youth culture groups, and members of the public in discussions on ICH-related issues.

​Hong Kong ICH Month 2025 is presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the ICHO of the LCSD, with ICH June as a strategic partner. For details, please visit the website www.icho.hk/en/web/icho/hk_ich_month_2025.html.

​For programme details of strategic and other partners, please visit the following websites and social media:

ICH June (ichjune.net) (Chinese version only);

Sik Sik Yuen (Facebook "Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple"www.facebook.com/wongtaisintemple);

Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (temples.tungwahcsd.org/latest-events/detail?id=2198&_lang=en); and

Po Leung Kuk Museum (www.poleungkuk.org.hk/service/po-leung-kuk-museum/china-cultural-and-natural-heritage-day) (Chinese version only).

LCSD launches first Hong Kong ICH Month in June Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LCSD launches first Hong Kong ICH Month in June Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LCSD launches first Hong Kong ICH Month in June Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LCSD launches first Hong Kong ICH Month in June Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government extends gratitude to various governments, organisations, and all sectors of society for warm support for those affected by Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po

A month has passed since the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has received condolences and support from various provinces and cities on the Chinese Mainland and from international counterparts. The HKSAR Government expresses its gratitude to the provincial and municipal governments of the Chinese Mainland, foreign governments, diplomatic missions, international organisations, consulates-general, honorary consulates, and officially recognised bodies in Hong Kong for their condolences and support for those affected by the fire through various channels, and thanks all sectors of Hong Kong society for their enthusiastic commitment to relief efforts and generous donations.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said, "On behalf of the HKSAR Government and all citizens of Hong Kong, I extend our heartfelt gratitude for the condolences, care, and assistance from our country and around the world. Fire shows no mercy, but the love of people abounds.This care, transcending geographical boundaries, reflects the spirit of solidarity and mutual support. We will continue to face challenges with resilience and love, transforming sorrow into strength and assisting those affected in returning to normal life as soon as possible."

Mr Lee also expressed his gratitude to all sectors of Hong Kong society for their generous donations and active participation in relief efforts, covering areas such as accommodation, medical care, mental health, finance, and transport. These contributions have provided essential resources and support for post-disaster reconstruction and social recovery.

Following the fire, numerous charitable organisations and funds swiftly allocated donations to assist residents. The Government also established the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, which has so far received approximately $3.8 billion in donations. Together with the start-up capital of $300 million from the Government, the total fund has now reached around $4.1 billion. This fund provides various emergency financial support to various groups of people affected by the fire, including all residents, families of the deceased, hospitalised casualties, students, domestic helpers, workers, flat owners, and tenants.

Furthermore, many members of the public and organisations proactively donated supplies to address the immediate needs of the affected residents. In response, the Government and the information technology sector collaboratively established an online platform for donations of supplies. After assessing the actual needs of the residents, relevant government bureaux and departments and service organisations promptly distributed supplies, including food, beverages, clothing, personal care items, bedding, and electrical appliances, to support the residents' daily lives.

The HKSAR Government will continue to unite the strengths of all sectors, leading the community in its recovery and reforms with steadfast determination andaction, to jointly build a safer and better Hong Kong.

Source: AI-found images