Have something to say? Send us a letter using this form.
Importance of traditions
Jasmine Hong Mingxin, GCCITKD Lau Pak Lok Secondary School
Nowadays, many Hong Kong adolescents like to celebrate Western festivals such as Christmas and Halloween with their peers.
While Hong Kong is an East-meets-West melting pot that celebrates festivals from around the world and embraces many cultures, the trend of young people being more excited about Western festivals than traditional ones, such as Chinese New Year, has raised significant concerns that warrant our attention. As Hong Kong students, we have to understand the meaning of our traditional festivals.
The reason the majority of young people prefer Western festivals to Chinese New Year is that Western festivals emphasise ceremony.
For example, teenagers prefer to exchange presents with their friends to celebrate Christmas. Moreover, they can wear colourful clothes and take nice photos, which they may upload to social media platforms such as Instagram. They create a festive atmosphere, and these delicate senses of ceremony can foster a sense of well-being.
During Chinese New Year, young people return to their hometowns to celebrate with their families.
But the sense of ceremony may be hard to find satisfying, as some family members dislike the atmosphere it creates.
While Chinese New Year’s sense of ceremony may seem less elegant than that of Western festivals, it has a unique meaning.
It reflects the traditional Chinese “home’” culture; during Chinese New Year, people from all walks of life return to their hometown and celebrate the festival with their families, sitting around the table to have a reunion dinner. It not only provides a chance to reconnect with family but also shows a unique side of Chinese New Year. These traditions are genuine and informal, reflecting the real emotional connection between us.
Chinese New Year showcases Hong Kong’s unique cultural identity. Although Hong Kong was colonised by Britain, it has still preserved much of its cultural heritage; Chinese New Year is one such tradition. It shows that traditional Chinese culture is the foundation of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is an inclusive society, and everyone should respect local culture while innovating our traditional festivals and promoting them to young citizens.
For example, the government live-streamed the Tai Po lion dance during Chinese New Year. The festival provides an opportunity to showcase our culture to Hong Kong citizens, and Chinese New Year is an important time to maintain our cultural roots and show our distinct cultural identity.
Chinese New Year showcases Hong Kong’s unique cultural identity and reflects the importance of tradition and family. I hope everyone can focus more on protecting our traditional festivals.
Joy of Game Day
Jasmine Chan, Po Leung Kuk Ho Yuk Ching (1984) College
January 16 was a day filled with joy and unforgettable memories as the entire school came together to celebrate an exciting, relaxing Game Day.
After weeks of intense preparation and hard work for examinations, this special event was thoughtfully organised to give students a well-deserved break, allowing everyone to unwind, recharge and enjoy time with friends and teachers in a cheerful atmosphere.
On that bright, sunny morning, the school campus was transformed into a lively playground full of colour, energy and nostalgia. Various game areas were set up around the school, each attracting groups of excited students.
Students eagerly gathered at stations featuring traditional Chinese group games such as “What’s the Time, Mr Wolf?”, “Chinese Jump Rope” and “Tag Games”. These classic games brought back childhood memories and encouraged teamwork, cooperation and friendly competition.
Laughter echoed across the playground as students ran, jumped and cheered each other on.
What made the experience even more special was seeing teachers joining in the games, laughing alongside students and breaking the usual boundaries between classroom learning and play.
Every corner of the school was filled with happiness, warmth and a strong sense of togetherness.
One of the most popular attractions was “Escape Room: The Romance of Three Kingdoms.” As mysterious ancient music drifted from the room, students felt drawn into a different era, ready to embark on an exciting historical adventure.
Inside the escape room, participants worked together to solve challenging puzzles, uncover clues and progress through the story. Through this immersive experience, students not only had fun but also learned more about Chinese history in an engaging and innovative way.
Meanwhile, the claw machine area was constantly crowded. Unlike ordinary claw machines filled with plush toys, these special machines were packed with bags of potato crisps. Students lined up patiently, eagerly waiting for their turn. As someone took control of the machine, the crowd gathered around, shouting excitedly. Everyone held their breath as it clamped onto the prize. When the bag finally dropped into the prize chute, the area exploded with cheers and applause, spreading excitement and joy among everyone present.
As the day came to an end, the final announcement rang out, “Alright, everyone! It’s time for photos!” The school gathered, standing close and smiling as one big, happy family.
That photograph preserved not just a memory, but the laughter, friendship and happiness of a truly unforgettable Game Day.
