A number of villages in the New Territories with long histories not only have buildings with conservation values, but also have been preserving a lot of traditional customs. Partnered with the Heung Yee Kuk New Territories and its 27 Rural Committees, CARE Team has launched a community arts programme called “Mural Painting in Rural Villages”. The programme aims at promoting traditional cultural heritages of rural communities as well as incorporating an artistic touch to the rural landscape in Hong Kong. In December 2021, CARE volunteers joined hands with Yuen Long Ha Tsuen villagers and completed the sixth painting of the programme in collaboration with Ha Tsuen Rural Committee (HTRC).
The mural in Ha Tsuen is located at the exterior wall of the Ha Tsuen Recreation Centre, next to the declared monument, the Tang Ancestral Hall. This mural not only showcases the beautiful sunset of Ha Pak Nai, which is arguably the top spot for sunset views in Hong Kong, but also portrays the lives of local communities at the seashore, as well as the traditional unicorn dance and lion dance of rural culture.
The mural completion ceremony was held on 18 December 2021 with officiating guests including the Club’s Head of External Affairs Eddie Poon, the 1st Vice-chairman of HTRC Chan Chik-leung, the Chairwoman of HYK the New Territories Traditional Cultural Committee Chan Ka-mun and Senior Liaison Officer of Yuen Long District Office Huen Yeuk-hon John.
After the ceremony, the officiating guests and CARE volunteers took this opportunity to visit the Tang Ancestral Hall as well as the adjacent Guesthouse and the Yau Kung School located next to the Ha Tsuen mural. With the tour led by Ha Tsuen indigenous residents, CARE members were pleased to know more about the uniqueness of historic building compound and the history of Ha Tsuen and the heritage.