Hovering children go political in traditional Hong Kong festival parade
Hong Kong: Children dressed as ancient gods, celebrities, and political leaders were paraded high above crowds on the Hong Kong island of Cheung Chau Tuesday in a traditional celebration of Buddha’s birthday.
The annual “Piu Sik” or “Floating Colours” march sees young residents held up on towering metal poles and greeted by cheers and applause as they are carried through the winding streets of the outlying island, which is still predominantly a fishing community. The parade is part of Cheung Chau’s famous five- day “bun festival” which culminates Tuesday night in a precipitous scramble up a tower made from imitation steamed buns, a favourite snack on the island.
Statues of deities were originally carried through the streets as part of the festival parade. But 70 years ago they were replaced by children, inspired by similar celebrations in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou. In the past two decades, the march has also evolved into a form of political satire. Children from a parade group headed by local resident Wong Sing- Chau dressed as the city’s finance secretary and democratic lawmakers to reflect current controversies.
A four- year- old girl from Wong’s group posed as the landlady from popular Hong Kong movie “Kung Fu Hustle”, complete with pink pajamas and hair rollers, in what he said was a nod to the city’s sprawling housing costs. “I want to speak for the people through satire,” Wong said. “Everyone suffers from high rent and unaffordable housing now.” A mini- version of city leader Carrie Lam in pink cheongsam and pearls also joined the parade, alongside children dressed as local sports stars including bespectacled Hong Kong snooker player Ng On- yee and champion cyclist Sarah Lee. The ability to withstand the blazing sun for hours during the parade was one of the requirements for being selected, said Wong. Temperatures reached 34 degrees Celsius ( 93 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, the hottest parade day in 71 years, with children trying to keep cool using fans and umbrellas.
For five- year- old Hayden Kwok, it was a taste of fame. “Many people will say hello to me. I can see myself on TV,” he said before the event, during which he was dressed as pro- democracy lawmaker Ted Hui.