On Monday, young people in Hong Kong took to the streets to participate in the iconic Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, hoping to revive and preserve the 145-year-old tradition. Every year, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, more than 300 male performers parade a 67-meter-long dragon, adorned with incense sticks, through the narrow streets of Hong Kong’s Tai Hang district. While the event used to draw large crowds, recent years have seen a decline in its popularity, despite the tradition being designated as an intangible cultural heritage by the city’s government.
In an effort to breathe new life into the festival, the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance Youth League, comprising 100 children and young people, joined the main performance with a smaller version of the dragon. This “little fire dragon” was lit up by 10,000 LED lights, bringing a modern touch to the age-old ritual. Cheung Kwok-ho, 52, the acting Commander in Chief of the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, created this initiative to introduce the younger generation to the tradition early on. “I hope the children will know the fire dragon earlier and join our fire dragon team when they are very young,” Cheung explained.
Historically, women were not allowed to touch the Great Dragon during the dance, as it was considered unlucky. However, the Youth League provides a new opportunity for women to participate in the tradition. Sonija Chan, a 23-year-old Dragon Ball Dancer in the Youth League, has grown up surrounded by the festival, watching her male family members, including her grandfather, father, and uncle, perform the dance. “Even though we still can’t touch the Great Dragon, I’m very happy and lucky to be able to participate,” Chan shared. She expressed her desire to help pass the tradition on to future generations and share the hard work and joy behind it.
The Youth League is also fostering a sense of community and teamwork among its members. Twelve-year-old Rollen Lau highlighted the impact of the experience, saying it helped him “learn more about team spirit” while also gaining a deeper understanding of Tai Hang’s history.
Through the involvement of children and young people, the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance is not only staying alive but evolving, offering new ways for the younger generation to connect with and preserve this significant cultural tradition. By modernizing the event with LED lights and encouraging youth participation, organizers hope to ensure the dance’s survival for future generations.
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