Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Two Hong Kong representatives selected as sixth batch of representative bearers of national intangible cultural heritage
The two ICH items were inscribed onto the fourth national list of ICH and the First ICH Inventory of Hong Kong respectively in 2014, as well as the Representative List of the ICH of Hong Kong in 2017. Information on the two representative bearers are as follows:
(2) Dr Lee Yiu-fai, representative bearer of the Wong Tai Sin belief and customs
The folk religion of Wong Tai Sin originated in the Jinhua area of Zhejiang Province and was introduced into the Lingnan region at the turn of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Wong Tai Sin belief and customs in Hong Kong can be traced back to 1915. In 1921, Sik Sik Yuen was established to manage the Wong Tai Sin Temple. After a century of inheritance, the development of the Wong Tai Sin folk religion has nowadays incorporated charity, with the “To act benevolently, teach benevolence and grant every wish” spirit actualised through Sik Sik Yuen’s provision of various social services.
Dr Lee joined the Wong Tai Sin Temple in Sik Sik Yuen in 1985 and has served as the Abbot of the Wong Tai Sin Temple since 2006. Dr Lee has been devoted to promoting the Wong Tai Sin belief and customs, organising courses, publishing ritual books and establishing the Cultural Centre for Wong Tai Sin Belief and Customs in 2021. Apart from being responsible for the religious matters of Sik Sik Yuen, Dr Lee also actively participates in public service activities, and promotes the “To act benevolently, teach benevolence” spirit. Under his stewardship, the item of Wong Tai Sin belief and customs was inscribed onto the fourth national list of ICH in 2014.Issued at HKT 22:02
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