Hong Kong's entry in 2019 Lord Mayor's Show in London celebrates Hong Kong's intangible cultural heritage (with photos)
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     The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London, (London ETO) took part in the City of London Lord Mayor's Show on November 9 (London time) for the 15th year with a float highlighting Hong Kong's intangible cultural heritage by creating a replica of the dragon boats used in the annual festival known as Tai O’s dragon boat water parade, one of the more traditional aspects of Hong Kong's culture.

     The London ETO's float, complete with a dragon-styled body, and a team of paddlers wielding LED light displays, celebrated the Dragon Boat Water Parade of Tai O, an annual festival with more than 100 years of history.  The accompanying dancers and the loud Chinese drumming evoked memories of the sight and sound of the river that the boat would race on.

     The Director-General of the London ETO, Miss Winky So, whose office devised and organised Hong Kong's float, said, "We congratulate the new Lord Mayor of London, Alderman William Russell, and look forward to working with him over the coming year." Miss So added, "While Hong Kong is best known as an international business and financial centre, our float this year brings out a more traditional side of our city.  The Dragon Boat Water Parade of Tai O is an important part of our intangible cultural heritage that bonds the local communities together."

     The annual Lord Mayor's Show celebrates the swearing-in of the new Lord Mayor of London, who serves as a global ambassador for the United Kingdom's financial services sector. This year, Alderman William Russell of the Ward of Bread Street became the 692nd Lord Mayor of London.  He was Lord Mayor Elect until the day before the Show and followed the parade in his gold state coach to the Royal Court of Justice to swear allegiance to the Queen.  More than half a million people take to the streets to see the parade each year, while the BBC broadcasts it live to millions of people in Britain and globally.

     London ETO has been taking part in the Lord Mayor's Show since 2005, with colourful and exciting displays highlighting the different facets of the city, including cultural heritage, tourism attractions, creativity and innovation, and popular cultures.

Ends/Monday, November 11, 2019
Issued at HKT 3:40

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