HONG KONG — On Monday (Sept 16), young people in Hong Kong took part in the traditional Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, aiming to renew interest in the 145-year-old event.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, over 300 male performers typically carry a 67-meter-long dragon adorned with incense sticks through the narrow streets of Tai Hang, Hong Kong island. Despite its designation as an intangible cultural heritage, interest in the dance has waned in recent years.

To rejuvenate the tradition, the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance Youth League, comprising 100 children and young people, joined the main event with a scaled-down version featuring a "little fire dragon" illuminated by 10,000 LED lights.

Cheung Kwok-ho, 52, the acting Commander in Chief of the dance, established the smaller dragon to ensure the tradition continues. “I hope the children will become familiar with the fire dragon early and join our team while they are young,” Cheung said.

Historically, women were not allowed to touch the Great Dragon during the dance, as it was considered unlucky. However, the Youth League now includes female participants.

Sonija Chan, 23, a Dragon Ball Dancer with the Youth League, shared that growing up, she watched her male relatives perform the Dragon Dance. “Even though we still can't touch the Great Dragon, I’m thrilled to be part of it,” Chan said. “We need to pass it on to showcase our hard work and joy.”

Another member, 12-year-old Rollen Lau, mentioned that participating helps him learn about teamwork and understand Tai Hang’s history.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters