A fabulous Fire Dragon Dance in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is captivating local crowds and lighting up the streets as part of the colorful celebrations for the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival.
The festival, celebrated annually on the 15th day of the eighth month on the Chinese calendar, falls on Monday this year. As one of China's most important traditional holidays, it is a joyous time when family members appreciate the full moon together and share mooncakes, a traditional pastry, to mark the harvest season and an occasion of family reunion.
From Sunday to Tuesday, the traditional fire dragon dance, listed as a national tangible cultural heritage item in 2011, will be staged in Hong Kong's Tai Hang area, a neighborhood in the vicinity of the Victoria Park.
The site of Fire Dragon Dance show was as crowded as usual on its first day this year, with locals and travelers flooding to the Huansha Street in Tai Hang, while excited spectators stand by the sidewalks eager to enjoy the event.
The show starts with members of the performance team holding aloft a nearly 70-meter-long fire dragon made of thousands of burning incense sticks, running down streets, as passionate crowds greeted them with rapturous rounds of applause.
"It has a very long history, over 100 years. We played here when we were very young. There was no iron railing here, and I could chase after the dragon tail for fun," said a local resident.
"We want to involve the kids in the fire dragon dance. We hope this event can continue to be passed down and make everyone happy," said another resident.
In addition, a team of around 100 youngsters put up a mini fire dragon illuminated by approximately 10,000 LED lights, symbolizing the passing down of traditional customs.
"The fire dragon dance is an intangible cultural heritage, and I believe every child should carry it on," said a girl in Hong Kong.
HK celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival with traditional fire dragon dance
HK celebrates Mid-Autumn Festival with traditional fire dragon dance
