Bastille's Story: How was the World's Largest Temporary Bamboo Altar Built in Hong Kong?

A giant bamboo altar, standing over 30 meters tall, was constructed for the Kam Tin Ten-Yearly Thanksgiving Festival and certified by Guinness World Records as the "world's largest temporary bamboo altar." As the festival drew to a close, the altar was transformed into a bamboo theater to host performances of Cantonese Opera for Deities during the Kam Tin Thanksgiving Celebration Carnival. The structure was meticulously brought to life by a team of scaffolding craftsmen led by Mr. Lai Zi Ming, who turned an empty space into a magnificent architectural marvel.

The world's largest temporary bamboo altar built in Kam Tin, Photo by Bastille Post

The bamboo theater to host performances of Cantonese Opera for Deities during the Kam Tin Thanksgiving Celebration Carnival, Photo by Bastille Post

Even After Achieving the Guinness World Record, the Craftsmen still Remain Dedicated to Their Craft Humbly

As the head of the team responsible for building the bamboo structure, Mr. Lai said that a total of 17 bamboo scaffolders spent 60 days bringing the magnificent structure to life. Looking back at the whole construction process, even though the team members have gone through the mill, the outcome has made all their efforts worthwhile. "Previously, such a giant bamboo structure in Hong Kong could merely exist in dreams, but now, we've made it come true," he said with a smile.

Mr. Lai Zi Ming, holding a silk banner written "Excellent Craftsmanship", Photo by Bastille Post

He mentioned that achieving the Guinness World Record this time did bring a certain degree of enhancement to the team’s fame, leading to increased work. Nevertheless, facing the influx of praise from the public, the team took it in stride and continued focusing on their work with the spirit of strict and professional craftsmanship. "In fact, whether we achieve the recognition from Guinness or not, our team members will all try our best to uphold the highest standards in every project we undertake." In Mr. Lai's view, awards and records were merely external things. Only the love and attachment to the bamboo structure building in the heart can support the craft stand the test of time.

Following in His Father's Footsteps, Mr. Lai Finds Fulfillment in Creating Something from Nothing

Recalling the journey of building the giant bamboo structure in Kam Tin, Mr. Lai also reminisced about his formative years learning the craft under the mentorship of his father. Since his father was also a bamboo scaffolder, there's no doubt that he followed in his father's footsteps and took over the craft at a young age. During the learning process, he gradually discovered the unique charm of bamboo scaffolding construction.

"Starting from an empty space and gradually bringing a giant structure to life—that journey is what truly drives me and fills me with a lasting sense of fulfillment." In Mr. Lai's eyes, this spiritual reward far outweighs any material gain, be it wealth or reputation. It is this very belief that has sustained his dedication to bamboo scaffolding construction for over a quarter of a century.

Building bamboo scaffolding is a journey starting from an empty space and gradually bringing a giant structure to life. Photo by Bastille Post

It's Difficult for Metal Scaffolds to Replace Bamboo Scaffolding Based on the Bamboo's Unique Advantages

Although the construction of bamboo scaffolding opened up a lifelong career and deep spiritual fulfillment for Mr. Lai, as the construction industry keeps advancing in the times, the metal scaffolding, prized for its standardization, high efficiency, and durability, has posed a formidable challenge to the traditional craft of bamboo scaffolding construction.

In his eyes, in terms of building construction, it is indeed difficult to guarantee the domination position of bamboo scaffolding as before, but in terms of the construction of temporary bamboo altar and theatre, "I would think it would be a little difficult for metal scaffolding to replace bamboo scaffolds." he said.

He emphasized that bamboo altars and theaters embody far more than physical structures—they are living cultural spaces where traditional folk activities and rituals unfold. Consequently, their design and construction entail distinct considerations that diverge from conventional building practices, spanning functional requirements, venue atmosphere, and construction logic, etc.

According to Mr. Lai, by leveraging the dimensional flexibility of bamboo, the giant structure built in Kam Tin successfully achieved a triple breakthrough in height, load-bearing capacity, and spatial span.

It's difficult for metal scaffolds to replace bamboo scaffolding based on the bamboo's unique advantages. Photo by Bastille Post

Given the limited space in Hong Kong, Mr. Lai noted that bamboo's advantages—particularly in cost, construction flexibility, and adaptability to varied landforms—would be key to sustaining the vitality of bamboo structures in the future.

In terms of cost, bamboo can save at least 30% to 50%. As for the construction flexibility, bamboo poles used for scaffolding can be adjusted—lengthened or shortened—to suit the specific needs of each project. By binding and splicing them to follow the curve requirement, craftsmen can achieve a tailor-made effect that feels almost seamless. When it comes to adaptability to varied landforms, bamboo scaffolding can thrive in environments where metal scaffolding struggles—whether on muddy ground, sloping terrain, or highlands—since metal structures typically require a flat and stable foundation. Moreover, given Hong Kong's narrow roads and confined spaces, bamboo scaffolding's inherent adaptability allows it to be erected efficiently even in the most challenging urban settings.

Given Hong Kong's narrow roads and confined spaces, bamboo scaffolding's inherent adaptability allows it to be erected efficiently even in the most challenging urban settings. Photo by Bastille Post

Inheriting the Craft of Bamboo Scaffolding, Hoping to Preserve Tradition Through Dedication

Looking to the future of bamboo scaffolding construction, Mr. Lai reflected that his team members have aged over the years. They all hope that newcomers could enter the industry to carry the craft forward.

He said that he would regularly follow news from the Scaffolders Association and stay updated on industry trends. Whenever he meets young people with a genuine curiosity about bamboo scaffolding, he gladly shares the lessons and reflections he has gathered over the years. He warmly welcomes any motivated young person to join his team and learn the craft. "I truly believe in the power of inheritance through personal commitment. If young people want to enter this field, I will be happy to guide them step by step, letting them learn through real hands-on experience," he said.

He also expressed his willingness to serve as an advisor or even teach in person if workshops or courses on the preservation and inheritance of bamboo scaffolding techniques could be offered in the future. He hopes to introduce the public to the beauty of this traditional craft. "My teaching principle is to set no barriers," he said. In his view, enabling more interested people to take the first step of exploration and building an emotional connection with bamboo scaffolding would be the key to ensuring the industry's continued vitality.

Mr. Lai was awarded a silk banner written "Excellent Craftsmanship" by the Kam Tin Rural Committee, recognizing his outstanding achievements in bamboo scaffolding construction. Photo by Bastille Post

For Mr. Lai, bamboo scaffolding was once simply a means of making a living. Nowadays, however, it has become something far greater—a vital stage for the inheritance of Hong Kong's intangible cultural heritage. In his eyes, preserving this craft is no longer just about safeguarding a set of skills; it is about sustaining the very force that will carry Hong Kong's folk culture into the future.

Every Chinese New Year, the innovative Cantonese opera Trump on Show debuts. Loong Koon-tin, a well-known local Cantonese opera actor who plays Trump in the play, has incorporated his years of experience in stage and television drama performances into his interpretation of the role "Trump".

Loong Koon-tin, a well-known local Cantonese opera actor who plays Trump in the play, has incorporated his years of experience in stage and television drama performances into his interpretation of the role "Trump". Photo source: offered by Loong Koon-tin

In the interview with Bastille Post, when asked about how to embody the character and delve into the interpretation methods of bringing Trump to life on stage, Loong Koon-tin mentioned that since Donald Trump likes to make exaggerated gestures normally, he would specially combine these highly recognizable body features with the traditional performance movements of Cantonese opera to allow audience to appreciate the vivid portrayal of the characters up close and perceive the inclusiveness of Cantonese opera towards modern performance elements.

Offering Audience with Innovative Performance by Combining Hot News with Traditional Cantonese Opera

“(The Cantonese opera Trump on Show) is still performed via our traditional Cantonese opera performance style. Nevertheless, we would contain innovative elements. We would keep changing the content according to the current hot news to attract the Gen Z audience, making them wonder: How will you perform the current affairs on stage?” said Loong Koon-tin.

Loong Koon-tin stated that during his process of brainstorming the script, he hoped to attract more audiences, especially the young generation, to enhance their interest in Cantonese opera performances by incorporating the element of "social hot spots", namely, the daily issues concerned by the masses.

"Current Affairs Cantonese Opera" has triggered widespread discussion since the premiere of Trump on Show in 2019. Led by the playwright Mr. Li Kui Ming, the production team of the play would keep abreast of the changing international issues in time to ensure the plot's freshness. Loong Koon-tin said that the script of Trump on Show would never remain unchanged, but would be adjusted and supplemented according to the global current events. Like the news of the arrest of the Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro, a while ago, the team immediately began to conceive of how to integrate it into the plot as soon as they heard about it, aiming to enable the ever-changing global current affairs to be performed via the singing and performance skills of Cantonese opera.

By Playing Diverse Roles, Loong Koon-tin Strives to Spread the Charm of Cantonese Opera to a Wider Audience

Loong Koon-tin has played the role of Donald Trump and other major characters in Trump on Show from its initial version until the present 4.0 version. For the performance this year, he would not only act the roles of Mao Zedong and Donald Trump, but also Nicolás Maduro and the fictional Trump's twin brother. Four roles for him to act vividly on stage at the same time.

In Loong Koon-tin's eyes, innovation is an indispensable driving force for the inheritance and development of Cantonese opera in the contemporary situation. "There must be innovation! Innovation plus tradition inheritance would be the key elements for retaining the audience and leading young people to learn about the glamour of traditional art." He thought that, if we still set in our ways of performing Cantonese opera, such a traditional art form would only dissipate in the wave of the times under the challenge of increasingly diverse aesthetic views.

Besides innovative Cantonese opera performance, Loong Koon-tin would perform in traditional Cantonese opera, Sun Kung Hei, which is performed for the deities. On the site of the "Kam Tin Thanksgiving Celebration Carnival", he was the leading civil and martial actor in the performance of Sun Kung Hei. In Loong Koon-tin's view, the Cantonese Opera for Deities is a precious stage for young Cantonese opera actors to improve their performance skills. He mentioned that young actors have little experience when they first enter the industry and are prone to making mistakes. "If people buy tickets to see them at a professional performance in the theater, once the young actors make mistakes or do something wrong on the stage, the audience will regard them as unqualified performers, making them lose opportunities to accumulate acting experience and inherit the Cantonese opera performance."

Loong Koon-tin has brought Trump to life on stage via his superb acting skills. Photo source: offered by Loong Koon-tin

The Cantonese Opera for Deities is a Precious Platform for the Inheritance of Traditional Culture

Since the audience of the Cantonese Opera for Deities is mostly the neighbors and fellow villagers who come to repay their vows and show gratitude to the deities, they tend to have a more tolerant and supportive attitude towards the actors' performance. Consequently, the young actors can interact with the audience in a more relaxed state and gradually build up their stage confidence. In addition, most of the performances for Cantonese Opera for Deities are staged for consecutive days, letting young actors have opportunities to accumulate experience and constantly adjust in subsequent performances to improve their performance level.

Besides innovative Cantonese opera performance, Loong Koon-tin would perform in traditional Cantonese opera, Sun Kung Hei, which is performed for the deities. Photo by Bastille Post

Moreover, Loong Koon-tin also hoped that the Cantonese opera industry could have more opportunities to build communication and collaboration with bamboo theatre scaffolders, making the two sides "join hands" together to preserve the culture of Cantonese Opera for Deities.

When tracing back to his previous experience of starting Cantonese opera performance, Loong Koon-tin recalled that he resolutely gave up his stable job as a bank clerk and was willing to endure the arduous experience of wearing heavy costumes and wigs that would strain his head. In his eyes, all the hard work for inheriting the culture of Cantonese opera is worthwhile. Through countless rehearsals and performances, he insisted on constantly elevating acting standards and conveying his deep love for Cantonese opera to the audience through every performance opportunity. "You must truly love the things you stick to, so that you can enjoy yourself no matter how hard the dream-chasing journey would be," he said.

The Cantonese Opera for Deities is a precious platform for the inheritance of traditional culture. Photo by Bastille Post

Loong Koon-tin, Photo source: offered by Loong Koon-tin