Talk Series of "Traces of Yau Ma Tei: Life of the Early Chinese People"

Organised by Tung Wah Museum and In assoication with Hong Kong Museum of History

"Traces of Yau Ma Tei: Life of the Early Chinese People" Talk Series

First talk "Vicissitudes of History: Early Development of Yau Ma Tei"( held on 20 May 2023 )

Speaker: Mr KO Tim Keung (Researcher on Hong Kong History)

Venue: Hong Kong Museum of History

Language: Cantonese

Introduction: The development of Yau Ma Tei began in the 1860s. After the devastating typhoon in 1874, the government redeveloped the area and Yau Ma Tei was the first town on the Kowloon peninsula built using modern urban planning concepts. Through historical maps and photographs, the speaker will narrate the rise of this Chinese community.

Recording of the lecture: https://e-go.hk/en/talk.html?id=1430#videosession

Second talk "Nurturing Talents: The Origin and Development of Mass Education in Kowloon" (held on 10 June 2023 )

Speaker: Dr LEUNG Cho Nga (Part-time Guest Lecturer of Department of Literature and Cultural Studies & Department of Social Sciences, The Education University of Hong Kong)

Venue: Hong Kong Museum of History

Language: Cantonese

Introduction: In the first half of the 20th century, Hong Kong's private study halls flourished. Kowloon College was established with funds from Ho Tung to provide education for children of different ethnic groups in 1902. Amidst objection from British merchants and government officials, however, the school was converted into Kowloon British School. In 1906, Yau Ma Tei Government School was completed as the first government school in Kowloon. In 1880, Tung Wah Hospital opened the first Man Mo Temple free school on Hong Kong Island and in 1904, it established a free school in Yau Ma Tei to provide education for impoverished children. Meanwhile, from 1920s to 1930s other schools were set up including Diocesan Girls’ School, Wah Yan College, St Mary’s Canossian College and Lai Chack Middle School, which are still in operation today, and others that had closed, such as Tak Yan School, Tak Ming Middle School and Tai Tung Middle School. The founding of the schools shows people at the time had already begun to value their children's education.

Recording of the lecture: https://e-go.hk/en/talk.html?id=1433#videosession

Third talk "Saving Lives, Helping the Needy: Yau Ma Tei Public Dispensary and Kwong Wah Hospital"( held on15 July 2023 )

Speaker: Mr SUN Tak Wing, Kevin (Curator, Hong Kong Museum of History)

Venue: Hong Kong Museum of History

Language: Cantonese

Introduction: Demolished in the 1970s, Yau Ma Tei Public Dispensary in Kansu Street was seen by some as a financial burden to Kwong Wah Hospital before the Second World War. Looking back at the history of this Chinese public dispensary, from establishment, expansion to closure, as well as its relationship with Kwong Wah Hospital, insights can be gained on the early development of healthcare services for Hong Kong’s grassroots population.

Fourth Talk "Sentiments around the Corner: People and Stories in the Streets of Yau Ma Tei" (held on 12 August 2023 )

Speaker: Prof TING Sun Pao, Joseph ( Adjunct Professor, Department of History, The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

Venue: Hong Kong Museum of History

Language: Cantonese

Introduction: Before the Second World War, Yau Ma Tei was the most populated and developed area in Kowloon. The Yau Ma Tei community, centred on Tin Hau Temple in Yung Shue Tau, was already formed in the late 19th century. There were grocery stores, tea houses, rice shops, barber shops, brothels, Chinese medicine shops, funeral shops and more. In the 20th century, reclamation works were carried out again in Yau Ma Tei, extending from Reclamation Street to Ferry Street. A typhoon shelter was built; Kwong Wah Hospital was founded; Yau Ma Tei Wholesale Fruit Market gradually developed. The speaker will talk about the people and stories in Yau Ma Tei, setting against the backdrop of the area’s development.

Recording of the lecture: https://e-go.hk/en/talk.html?id=1439#videosession