To preserve our precious historic buildings, apart from preserving their structures, we also need to revitalise them for public visits and enjoyment, so as to give these historic buildings new and added social value. Last week, we announced the selection results for batch IV of the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme. We have found suitable partners to revitalise three historic buildings, namely No. 12 School Street in Tai Hang, the Old Dairy Farm Senior Staff Quarters in Pok Fu Lam, and the Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre in Sheung Shui. The revitalisation proposals put forward by the selected organisations were highly creative and meaningful, and they comprise incorporating precious intangible cultural heritage into a historic building, redefining the cultural connection between a historic building and local culture, and making use of a rural environment near a historic building to enhance the general public’s understanding of natural ecology.
The first project is No. 12 School Street, which will be revitalised by the Tai Hang Residents’ Welfare Association into the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Heritage Centre. The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance is a century-old traditional event that has been inscribed onto China’s Third National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. During the Mid-autumn Festival each year, the Fire Dragon parades through the streets and alleys in Tai Hang, which are filled with spectators. The scenes have become a unique spectacle in our city. It is expected that the Grade 3 historic building will be revitalised into an exhibition centre to display the culture and history of the Tai Hang Fire Dragon. It will not only forge a close connection between this historic building and intangible cultural heritage, but will also foster a closer bond in the local community. On display will be an authentic Fire Dragon’s head and tail, and spectacular Fire Dragon dances shown using 3D technology. The Centre will run cultural programmes and activities to promote aspects of traditional Hakka culture including the Fire Dragon and martial arts repertoire such as lion dance, dragon dance and unicorn dance, and will house a Fire Dragon-themed restaurant to promote Hakka food culture and vegetarian meals. I believe that the Centre will become a unique cultural landmark in Tai Hang.
The second project is the Old Dairy Farm Senior Staff Quarters, a Grade 1 historic building, which will be revitalised into the Pokfulam Farm by Caritas-Hong Kong. The team has collaborated with villagers in Pok Fu Lam Village to collect lots of information about the Old Dairy Farm, such as oral history records, relics and old files, so as to trace its history. In naming the project, Caritas-Hong Kong chose the ancient written form of the Chinese name of Pok Fu Lam so as to highlight its long history. After revitalisation, the general public will be able to see artefacts and utensils of the old farm and participate in dairy workshops to experience farm life. The project will not only promote the preservation of a historic building, but will also run guided tours to introduce this historic building, relics and the nearby settlement culture through a specially designed heritage trail. I believe that the general public will have a better understanding of the local community, and culture and history of Pok Fu Lam by participating in these activities.
The third project is the Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre, a Grade 2 historic building, which will be revitalised into the Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre Eco-Learn Institute by Sik Sik Yuen and the Incorporated Management Committee of Ho Koon Nature Education cum Astronomical Centre. The Centre is located in a green and shaded rural area in Kwu Tung. The Institute will provide educational programmes on Bioblitz and experiential activities for the general public to learn more about the biodiversity and natural ecology in the neighbouring rural area. Furthermore, an Agriculture Microcosm Area modelled on the local rural ecological environment will be set up. To highlight the historical significance of the Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre, there will be a gallery to display its history and the contributions of Sir Robert Ho Tung’s family.
As for King Yin Lei, I understand that most of you are really looking forward to seeing its revitalisation. Regrettably, we have not yet identified a suitable revitalisation proposal. To allow the general public to visit and enjoy this beautiful declared monument as soon as possible, I have accepted the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Revitalisation of Historic Buildings that the Government will continue to manage King Yin Lei. We are liaising with the government departments concerned to study its long-term use and mode of operation. Starting from July, we will arrange open days at King Yin Lei again for public visits.
I hope that these revitalisation projects will be implemented quickly so that the general public can use them as soon as possible, and have better understanding of our intangible cultural heritage, local culture and natural ecology.
21 June, 2015
Back