Underprivileged children learn to become mighty Hong Kong lions after performing traditional dance workshop as part of Operation Santa Claus
- Performing arts workshop gives 14 children a break from video games, helps them connect with traditional culture
- Charity says learning lion dance gives underprivileged children a ‘sense of accomplishment’
The streets of a public housing estate in Hong Kong echoed with the sounds of a drum and cymbals as 14 children learned how to perform a lion dance.
The children, aged six to 14, were taught how to move the lion’s head and operate its mouth, eyes and ears, while also performing the dance of the mighty beast at a workshop at Hing Wah Estate in Chai Wan on October 23.
“Rotate [the lion’s head] twice. Rotate three times. Use your strength,” coach Li Fei-piu told the group. As soon as the first child had finished their turn, all the other kids were eagerly asking Li if they could try.
Coming from underprivileged families, the children were beneficiaries of the ChickenSoup Foundation and The Hub Hong Kong, two of the 18 causes sponsored by Operation Santa Claus (OSC).
This year’s OSC, an annual fundraising campaign organised by the South China Morning Post and public broadcaster RTHK since 1988, teamed up with six performing arts organisations to run workshops for the groups supported by the charities.
Li Fei Piu Chinese Martial Arts Association founder Li Fei-piu said he was glad to hold the lion dance workshop with OSC.