Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China: "Man Mo Temple Autumn Sacrificial Rites" in Subject Talks on "Integrating Past with Present: The Journey of Tung Wah's Intangible Heritage through Time”

Co-organised by TWGHs Records and Heritage Office and Hong Kong Public Libraries

Subject talks on“Integrating Past with Present: The Journey of Tung Wah's Intangible Heritage through Time”

Established in 1870, the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (formerly Tung Wah Hospital) is Hong Kong's oldest Chinese charitable organisation. For over a century, it has provided much-needed services to the local community. Throughout its development, Tung Wah has accumulated and preserved a rich heritage of tangible assets such as buildings, artefacts and archives, as well as intangible aspects of traditional Chinese culture that brings communities together. Rather than vanishing as a result of societal advancements and institutional changes, the elements of traditional Chinese culture have been continuously inherited and evolved. The most widely known elements are inarguably those listed in the First Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory of Hong Kong: namely the Man Mo Temple Autumn Sacrificial Rites, held annually since 1957; Cantonese opera, which has close ties with Tung Wah; and the cheongsam, frequently showcased in historical photos and ceremonies of Tung Wah. Notably both Cantonese opera and Hong Kong cheongsam-making technique have been inscribed onto the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. By exploring topics such as Autumn Sacrificial Rites, the cheongsam and the early preservation of Cantonese opera, audiences will get insights into how Tung Wah has integrated these elements of intangible cultural heritage in a new approach, thereby embodying and promoting a spirit of innovation.

First talk："Man Mo Temple Autumn Sacrificial Rites"

TWGHs Man Mo Temple, located on Hollywood Road in Sheung Wan, was built in 1847. It was named after the deities revered in the temple – Man Cheong, the God of Literature, and Kwan Tai, the Martial God. A building cluster of immense historical and cultural significance, the temple was declared a monument by the Hong Kong Government in November 2010. The Man Mo Temple Autumn Sacrificial Rites, an intangible cultural heritage item of Hong Kong, has been held annually since 1957. Upholding Chinese cultural traditions, the officiating guests and directors of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals perform the Sanxian Ritual (Three Presentation Ritual) in traditional black ceremonial robes.