Operation Santa Claus: Hong Kong children get a taste of cultural diversity through traditional Chinese folk dances
- Children dressed in colourful traditional costumes try their hand at performing celebratory folk dances during four-session workshop
- Workshop sponsored by Chinachem Group and subsidiary Nina Hospitality as part of ‘performing arts’ theme under Operation Santa Claus fundraising drive
Children from low-income families in Hong Kong discovered the charm of traditional Chinese folk dances through a four-session workshop under a charity programme last month.
Accompanied by a light melody, 12 children dressed in colourful traditional costumes turned and spun around as they performed an ethnic Korean dance celebrating a plentiful apple harvest in northern China. The children imitated the actions of picking apples and storing them in barrels.
When the music changed, the children then tapped their shoulders, waist, legs and the ground with chopsticks decorated with red silk ropes, coordinating their movements in accordance with the more powerful beat.
The chopsticks dance originated in Inner Mongolia and was often performed during festive or celebratory events.
The workshop, sponsored by the Chinachem Group and one of its subsidiaries Nina Hospitality, saw 25 people immerse themselves in traditional Chinese folk dances over four Sundays in November. Participants were from two of the 18 beneficiaries of this year’s Operation Santa Claus (OSC), an annual charity drive co-organised by the South China Morning Post and RTHK since 1988.
A different set of classes was designed for those with Down’s syndrome, who learnt the dances with their parents as a way to facilitate communication.
“The workshop is not only about dance, but also a chance to embrace the diverse Chinese culture with an emphasis on cultural heritage. I think it would be a truly enriching experience for the children,” said Chloe Tsai Ling-ling, senior marketing communications manager of Nina Hospitality.
The workshop was hosted by Starwave Production, one of OSC’s partners under this year’s “Performing Arts” theme, offering creative classes to those who may not have the opportunity to enjoy the arts in their daily life.
“Through different vibrant forms of art, I hope we can give young people opportunities to be creative and courageous, and to explore boundless possibilities,” Tsai said.
