Mid-Autumn Festival of Inclusion: Intergenerational Interactions Between Ming Kei Students and Seniors
Date: 18/09/2024
| On September 18, 2024 (the day following the Mid-Autumn Festival), The Church of Christ in China Ming Kei College (hereafter referred to as Ming Kei College) co-hosted the event ‘Dragon and Phoenix Theatre & Common Ground: Intergenerational Mid-Autumn Festival Tea Gathering & Gaming Experience.’ During the event, Ming Kei students served as Youth Community Inclusion Ambassadors, engaging with local residents through shared meals and conversations, gaining a deeper understanding of the Tai Kok Tsui community, and experiencing intergenerational inclusion while cultivating empathy and gratitude. | ||||
| In line with the educational mission of The Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China’s pastoral services, Ming Kei College has always emphasized holistic education. The institution not only focuses on enhancing students’ academic performance but also actively fosters positive values among students, emphasizing service learning. The goal is for students to apply what they learn to contribute to society, embodying the school motto that ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’, and to grow into idealistic and responsible young individuals. Coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival, Ming Kei College enthusiastically supported the community activity ‘Dragon and Phoenix Theatre & Common Ground’, jointly organized by the Hong Kong Arts Centre’s Public and Community Arts Project ‘Re: Tai Kok Tsui’, project partner The Project Futurus, and community interaction planner Chan Wan-ki. The college provided its premises for the event and engaged 28 student ambassadors to host a tea gathering and gaming experience for the neighbourhood. | ||||
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Principal Cheung, teachers and students of Ming Kei College, Coordinators from Hong Kong Arts Centre’s Public and Community Arts Project ‘Re: Tai Kok Tsui’, project partner The Project Futurus, and community interaction planner Chan Wan-ki. | ||||
| The ‘Dragon and Phoenix Theatre & Common Ground’ centered on the theme of the Tai Kok Tsui Theatre, invited the public, individuals with swallowing difficulties, and their caregivers to gather the day after the Mid-Autumn Festival. On the day of the event, over 120 seniors enthusiastically responded and attended at Ming Kei College. Ming Kei students donned the roles of theatre staff, ushers, and hawkers, recreating the vibrant atmosphere of the old Tai Kok Tsui Theatre, allowing participants to feel as though they had traveled back in time to the 1960s and 70s to share in the joy and warmth of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Some students dressed in qipaos welcomed guests with cheerful smiles, guiding them to experience nostalgic games. Others played the role of ticket sellers at a retro ticket booth, distributing ‘Dragon and Phoenix Theatre’ tickets to seniors. To replicate the ambiance of the bustling marketplace outside the old theatre, nostalgic snack stalls were also set up. Student ambassadors transformed into hawkers, distributing herbal tea, old Hong Kong snacks, roasted chestnuts, and popcorn, with some stalls even demonstrating the making process on-site. The mingling of Ming Kei students and seniors created a lively atmosphere filled with laughter and warmth as they celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival together. | ||||
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| Design of the large screen at ‘Dragon and Phoenix Theatre’ | Principal Cheung with Ming Kei students dressed in qipaos | |||
| During this community feast, the ‘Dragon and Phoenix Theatre Snacks’ showcased care for seniors. The event collaborated with ‘The Project Futurus—Captain Softmeal’ to provide a variety of softmeals, such as curry fish balls, pan-fried stuffed delicacies, and low-sugar egg yolk white lotus seed paste mooncakes, for seniors with chewing and swallowing difficulties. As part of the preparation, student ambassadors participated in softmeal-making workshops to understand the challenges of those with swallowing difficulties and to experience the preparation of softmeals. This initiative aimed to cultivate empathy, enabling them to offer more considerate service during the event and promote communication and interaction between generations. Furthermore, traditional Chinese herbal teas such as five-flowered tea, Abrus herb tea, and pear tea were served, not only quenching thirst but also offering cooling and detoxifying benefits, adding a touch of nostalgia to the event. This thoughtfulness and care fostered a warm atmosphere, creating unforgettable moments for all participants. | ||||
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Retro weight measurement machine | Nostalgic snack booth—herbal tea | |||
This event connected the young and elderly residents of Tai Kok Tsui, allowing them to share memories and express emotions, deepening their understanding of Tai Kok Tsui’s historical and cultural significance while gradually strengthening closer community ties and a sense of belonging. Student Ho, one of the greeters dressed in a qipao, expressed gratitude for the seniors’ willingness to engage openly with her, acknowledging that without their stories, she would have found it difficult to glimpse the true living conditions of past Hong Kong, “What I learned from their recounts is vastly different from what I found online. ‘Tai Kok Tsui’ refers to the open space where vendors gathered in the community for trading, showcasing their skills, and even setting up stages to perform dramas. This event allowed me to step into the scene, experience the unique charm and culture of ‘Tai Kok Tsui,’ and gain a deeper understanding of its history.” Student Wong, responsible for preparing the meals, remarked, “The softmeals are light and smooth, making it easy for seniors with chewing and swallowing difficulties to enjoy their favorite food.” This experience enabled her to better understand the dietary needs of seniors and individuals with swallowing challenges, recognizing that flavorful and visually appealing softmeals can provide essential nutrition while allowing them to feel cared for and respected during mealtime. Wong expressed that this experience helped her realize the importance of empathy, stating that only through perspective-taking can one truly understand and address the emotions and thoughts of others. | ||||
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| Tai Kok Tsui resident recounting collective memories | Food preparation for the Mid-Autumn Festival feast | |||
| ‘Dragon and Phoenix Theatre & Common Ground’ connected the residents of Tai Kok Tsui—seniors, local residents, and Ming Kei students—fostering a deeper understanding of their community and a sense of belonging. Ming Kei College hopes that each student can cultivate a heart of gratitude and empathize with the circumstances of others through service learning, practicing the school motto that ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’, and becoming proactive youth rooted in Tai Kok Tsui, grounded in Hong Kong, with a vision for the nation and the world. | ||||
