First palanquin carrying competition at International Jigong Festival

The International Jigong Cultural Festival is taking place at Victoria Park, with the event having organised its first palanquin carrying competition this year.

Eight teams consisting of participants aged between 6 and 60 will need to carry palanquin with a figure symbolising Jigong, a former Buddhist monk seen as a deity in Chinese folk religion, past several obstacles and complete a number of designated tasks.

Organisers hope the event can bring back memories of the legend of Jigong travelling on a palanquin from Wan Chai to Hung Hom to help suppress a plague.

The three-day gala began on Friday incorporating elements such as carnival and Cantonese opera.

This as Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Clarence Leung emphasised the importance of local folk heritage such as Jigong, adding that the city's Five-Year Plan highlighting the need to promote Chinese traditions.