‘Social Memory: Conservation and Coexistence of Cultural Heritage ’Talk Series Second Talk ‘Exploring Yau Ma Tei: Historic Buildings and Community-Led Cultural Conservation’

Publication Date: 2026-11-11

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

 

Speaker : Mr. LAU Kwok Wai(Researcher on Hong Kong History)

Date : 10 October 2026 (Saturday) 

Second Talk ‘Exploring Yau Ma Tei: Historic Buildings and Community-Led Cultural Conservation’

Yau Ma Tei is home to numerous historic buildings including the Tin Hau Temple, Yau Ma Tei Theatre, Tung Wah Museum, Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market and the Red Brick Building, all of which bear witness to the daily lives of people over the past century in the realms of healthcare, entertainment, commerce and religious belief. While conservation might seem out of reach, it can truly begin with everyday participation in community activities and understanding the historic buildings within the neighbourhood. This lecture will use these buildings as a starting point, drawing on newspapers, archives and oral history to reconstruct the social landscape of the past. It will also explore the significance of heritage conservation and ways in which the public can participate, helping the public understand how conservation is closely connected to present-day life.