Talk of the town : The Enchanting Cheung Chau Bun Festival
【明報專訊】Hong Kong, a city that harmoniously blends ancient traditions with modern marvels, is home to a multitude of vibrant festivals. Among them, the Cheung Chau Jiao Festival (長洲太平清醮) stands out as a captivating cultural event that captures the essence of the city's rich heritage.
Held annually on the charming island of Cheung Chau, this centuries-old celebration showcases a unique blend of religious devotion and folklore.
History of the festival
The Cheung Chau Jiao Festival traces its roots back to the Qing Dynasty, over 200 years ago. According to legend, the island was plagued by a series of misfortunes, including a deadly epidemic. Seeking help from Pak Tai (北帝), the villagers constructed an altar and performed rituals to ward off evil spirits.
Highlights of the festival
The Cheung Chau Jiao Festival spans several days and offers a multitude of captivating activities for visitors to enjoy. One of the main highlights is the Piu Sik Parade (飄色巡遊), which showcases a vibrant procession of costumed performers, lion dancers, and traditional drummers. During the parade, you will witness children dressed as deities, skillfully navigating the streets on stilts. Additionally, it is not uncommon to see some children dressed up as famous celebrities from around the world, adding a playful and contemporary twist to the traditional event.
Another key moment of the festival is the Bun Scrambling Competition. This exhilarating event draws participants from far and wide, all vying to climb the towering Bun Tower and snatch as many plastic "ping-on buns" (平安包) as possible. Throughout the Festival, ping-on buns will be sold in some bakeries in Cheung Chau and they are believed to bring good luck and blessings to those who consume them.
Besides, during the Festival, most of the restaurants on the island will refrain from serving meat dishes as a sign of respect for the religious and cultural significance of the event. Even multinational fast-food chains like McDonald's join in this cultural observance.
By immersing yourself in the Festival, you can fully embrace the traditions and enjoy this joyful atmosphere. So, mark your calendars and embark on a journey to Cheung Chau for the Festival!
■Grammar Booster
A multitude of
A large number of people or things.
E.g. There are a multitude of small quiet roads to cycle along.
■Game
Apart from the Jiao Festival, do you know some other Chinese festivals in their corresponding lunar dates? (See the picture 2)
(Answer on next text)
■Gear up
The ping-on bun on the Bun Tower is eatable.
(True/False)
(Answer on next text)
■Glossary
vibrant(adj)--精彩的
plague (v)--困擾
altar (n)--祭壇
vie (v)--爭奪
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[Smarties' Power English 第409期]
