Hong Kong’s first Children’s Character Festival encourages kindness through storytelling
The event is a collaboration between the Character Education Foundation, Hotung Mills Education Foundation, and Story Seeds Charity
Children in Hong Kong embrace kindness via storytelling and community action at the inaugural Children’s Character Festival. Photo: HandoutHundreds of children, their families, and special guests gathered at Yew Chung International School last week to mark the start of the inaugural Children’s Character Festival, which aims to encourage children to act as ambassadors of kindness.
The festival is a collaboration between the Character Education Foundation, Hotung Mills Education Foundation, and Story Seeds Charity. This year’s theme is kindness, with the goal of promoting kindness through storytelling and community action.
Over 200 children took to the stage, sharing their own stories of kindness, proving how even the smallest acts can create a powerful wave of positivity throughout their communities.
“It is our hope and dream that every child becomes an ambassador of kindness, not only today but every day. We believe that small acts of kindness can make a big difference,” said Christine Ma-Lau of the Character Education Foundation.
Joanna Hotung of the Hotung Mills Education Foundation expressed her gratitude to the attendees. “This has been a collaborative labour of love, and we’re excited to create a unique experience for children and families,” she said.
Vivian Chung of Story Seeds Charity added: “We believe in the power of storytelling to empower children to own their narratives and inspire others to be kind.”
The festival included workshops and activities designed to teach children about empathy and community service.
What was a small act of kindness that recently helped you?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han, who is also vice-chairperson of the Commission on Children, officiated the ceremony.
Other guests included Professor Frederick Ma, co-chairperson of the Character Education Foundation and Professor John Lee, president of The Education University of Hong Kong.
Bernard Charnwut Chan, former convenor of Hong Kong’s Executive Council, provided a video message.
“The Children’s Character Festival offers an important and inclusive addition to learning,” he said. “Helping our children develop kindness, respect, perseverance, and other values from a young age builds character and fosters the next generation of empathetic and responsible citizens.”
He said that by sharing true stories, children are able to express themselves through their own experiences while gaining the confidence to present them to a supportive audience.
“I encourage children to join the Children’s Character Festival and wish all participants the joy of creating their true tales, and every success in presenting them,” Chan added.
The organisers hope the festival will inspire children to carry the spirit of kindness beyond the event, creating a lasting impact on their schools, neighbourhoods, and the wider Hong Kong community.