Preserving Cultural Heritage: FHM Launches Yu Lan Festival Internship Programme

The Faculty of Humanities (FHM) has partnered with the Tung Tau Tsuen Yu Lan Association to launch an innovative internship programme during this year's Lunar July, funded by the Urban Renewal Authority. This initiative addresses the critical manpower shortage facing Hong Kong's national-level intangible cultural heritage—the Chiu Chow Yu Lan Festival—which has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Led by Dr Lo Lok-yin, Assistant Professor from the Department of Chinese Language Studies, the programme engaged five FHM students in a transformative month-long experience. The students became active members of the Association’s organising committee, immersing themselves in various aspects of cultural preservation: fundraising throughout neighborhood buildings, managing documentation, handling name inscription on the golden plaques, crafting traditional paper offerings, supporting guided tours, and participating in auction events.

The participants shared that they felt the weight of responsibility, but also the profound honour of contributing to our community's heritage. Most students expressed their commitment to return next year to volunteer, regardless of whether the formal internship continues.

This experiential learning opportunity enabled students to develop deep connections with the community while participating in a living national-level intangible cultural heritage. By applying humanities perspectives to real-world cultural preservation, students bridged generational divides and addressed the social challenges of urbanisation and aging populations that threaten traditional practices.

Meanwhile, the programme exemplifies the Faculty's guiding principle—'Humanities Can!’—demonstrating how humanities education creates meaningful impact through cultural preservation and community engagement, transforming students from observers into active guardians of Hong Kong's rich cultural tapestry.

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