Playing with Shadows
Chinese shadow play, involving intricately cut out puppets made from cow and donkey hide, are thought to have originated more than 2000 years ago during the Han dynasty. Varsity meets a Hong Kong shadow play master who is attempting to keep this ancient art alive by incorporating modern storylines, introducing modern characters and training a new generation of puppeteers.
In the Mood for Cheongsam
From the "World of Suzie Wong" to "In the Mood for Love", the cheongsam or qipao is an iconic garment that symbolises Hong Kong femininity in the popular imagination. Here two very different cheongsam collectors tell Varsity why they love these figure hugging Chinese dresses.
Cultural Crossover in Yau Ma Tei
If Hong Kong's local cultural identity has been experiencing something of a renaissance in recent years, then Yau Ma Tei is central in the revival. The area has long been known for its authentic yet low-key local flavour. This has attracted an influx of cultural workers and artists who are inspired by the sense of community in the neighbourhood.
Collecting Childhood Memories
It's not just the faces of children that will light up when they unwrap toys this Christmas. Varsity meets the adults whose passion is to collect old toys. For them, the toys are not just mere objects for play but the key to childhood and collective memories.
Naked Sanctuary
Complete nudity in public is outlawed in Hong Kong but local nudists have been quietly sun-bathing in the more remote beaches of the territory. For them, nudism is about getting back to basics, being closer to nature and finding a refuge from the superficiality of modern city life.
Art for All
Meet a group of young artists, designers and art-lovers who believe art should be down with the people. Hong Kong's Street Art Movement aims to move art from the rarified world of high-end galleries and into the streets.
Barter Hunting
Why buy when you can trade? That's the question asked by some young Hong Kongers who are staging barter events so people can dispose of their unwanted items without creating waste. Varsity discovers that more and more young people in Hong Kong are taking part in these cash-less transactions.
The Feng Shui Hobbyists
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practise with a very contemporary following. And you don't have to be a professional to use feng shui principles to try to turn your life around in a better direction. Varsity meets the feng shui hobbyists.
Rocking On
Age is no barrier to making music for Hong Kong's "Dad Bands".
Read All About Me!
Hear the real-life stories of living 'books' at Hong Kong's Human Library events.
