Lunar New Year: mindful of national security law, Hong Kong festival market stalls opt for subtle messages on products
- Fewer fairs run by anti-government groups this year, and stallholders are staying clear of taboo slogans
- Despite muted mood, designers get creative to put out products carrying a ‘yellow’ message
Shoppers who took a closer look, however, could spot cushions bearing a one-word message – “Conscience” – and smartphone cases that read “Hong Kong”.
“We don’t need to put ‘Liberate Hong Kong’ on our designs,” said Yanny Wong, a vendor in her 20s who produced a set of red packets for supporters of the city’s opposition camp. “Instead, we have ‘Defend freedom’ and ‘Defend conscience’ on the red packets this year. People will still understand.”
Independent Lunar New Year fairs which sprout up at this time every year have traditionally been a gathering point for politicians, various organisations, independent artists and product designers to spread anti-establishment messages and raise funds by selling products that mock the government or bear protest slogans.
