HONG KONG & LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Beginning September 23 through September 25, 2018, neighborhoods across Hong Kong will commemorate the Mid-Autumn Festival (the 15th day of the 8th month on the Chinese Lunar Calendar) with magical exhibitions, including traditional cultural shows, lantern displays, and the customary sharing and consumption of tasty moon cakes.
During this annual festival, the city comes alive as the century-old Fire Dragon Dance swirls through Tai Hang, lanterns illuminate the sky, and Australian artist Amanda Parer’s larger-than-life “Moon Rabbit Lumiere” installation hops through the city for the first time. Below is a guide to the rituals, events, and art installations across Hong Kong.
Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance (23 – 25 September 2018)
Among the grandest of all festive activities for the three nights is the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance with over 24,000 sticks of burning incense each night and the participation of 300 athletes for awe-inspiring dance of flames in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Since 1880, the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance has been an annual event to pray for good health and prosperity.
Tai Hang was originally a small village, home to farmers and fishermen. The village was hit by a plague in the late 19th century. According to folklore, the Buddha told a village elder to perform the Fire Dragon Dance and burn firecrackers during the Mid-Autumn Festival to drive the plague away. Accompanied by drummers and erupting firecrackers, they followed orders and danced for three days and three nights – and the plague disappeared.
The Fire Dragon is made up of 32 segments, with the head alone weighing over 150 pounds.
Mooncakes
Mooncakes are one of the most popular elements of Hong Kong’s Mid-Autumn Festival, and for good reason. Baked in intricate moulds featuring auspicious Chinese blessings, mooncakes are associated with family – the round shape is thought to symbolise completeness – and it’s common to give these dense treats to loved ones during the festival to wish them a long, happy life.
The treat is traditionally filled with lotus seed paste and two egg yolks, but over time, Hong Kong has welcomed many innovative iterations, such as chocolate, durian, kumquat, matcha, egg custard and red bean, to name just a few.
Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnivals 2018 (22 – 25 September 2018)
During Mid-Autumn Festival, the city comes alive with spectacular lantern displays. Visitors can get in on the action at one of the annual Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnivals, which take place in Tai Po Waterfront Park, Victoria Park, Tuen Mun Park, and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza.
As the lanterns light up the night sky, visitors and locals can bask in the festive atmosphere and learn about the craft of traditional lantern making. Additional family-friendly activities include game booths and folk craft demonstrations.
“Moon Rabbit Lumiere” installation (19 September – 17 October 2018)
For the first time in Hong Kong, Australian artist Amanda Parer’s “Moon Rabbits” will hop through town. The “Moon Rabbit Lumiere” art installation will take place on Lee Tung Avenue in Wan Chai and at the China Hong Kong City in Tsim Sha Tsui. Both venues will showcase 10 illuminated “Moon Rabbits”, as well as a series of celebratory events, workshops, picnics, and fairs throughout the month-long exhibitions.
For more information about Hong Kong and the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival festivities, please visit the Hong Kong Tourism Board at http://www.discoverhongkong.com.
High resolution images and videos can be downloaded from https://bit.ly/2x4wJM5.
For images and videos on Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance 2018, please visit Getty Images at https://www.image.net/press/hongkongimages after the event.
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