[Cantonese Event]港式打醮之道：紀錄片放映與儀式解讀

An ancillary event of the 2025 Hungry Ghost Festival : ghost-festival.org

[廣東話節目] 港式打醮之道：紀錄片放映與儀式解讀

日期：2025年8月9日（星期六）

時間：5:00- 7:00 pm

地點：妙蓮宮, 2495 Irving Street, San Francisco, California 94122

主持藝術家：鄧國騫

回應嘉賓：高師兄

舊金山中華文化中心與香港藝術到家及妙蓮仙館聯合呈獻港式打醮紀錄片放映會，並設有互動儀式講解，作為本年度華埠鬼節於三藩市日落區拓展社區參與的藝文活動之一。

原紀錄片約2小時，由當年醮會統籌委託專人拍攝，現經剪輯後約35分鐘，內容主要以紀實形式，記錄2015年香港新界錦田鄉十年一度的酬恩建醮。本活動特別邀請妙蓮宮高師兄在放映途中邊隨影像播放邊解讀種種儀式的來龍去脈，以解構道學與華人傳統千絲萬縷的關係。香港藝術家兼錦田鄉村民鄧國騫將主持本環節並跟高師兄對談。

[Cantonese Event] The Dao of Hong Kong-Style Jiao Festival: Documentary Screening and Rituals Explanations

Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025

Time: 5:00 – 7:00 PM

Location: Lotus Taoism Institute, 2495 Irving Street, San Francisco, California 94122

Host Artist: Tang Kwok Hin

Guest Speaker: Master Ko (Ko Si Hing)

The Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco (CCC), Art Together (Hong Kong), and the Lotus Taoism Institute co-present a special documentary screening with an interactive explanation of rituals as part of this year's Hungry Ghost Festival programs.

This screening features a 35-minute edited version of an original two-hour documentary, commissioned and filmed during the 2015 Jiao Festival held once every decade in Kam Tin, a walled village community in Hong Kong’s New Territories. Presented in a documentary style, the film captures this rare event's ceremonial practices and cultural traditions.

During the screening, Master Ko from the Lotus Taoism Institute will provide live commentary, offering real-time interpretation of the rituals and their meanings. His insights will shed light on the intricate connections between Taoist philosophy and broader Chinese traditional culture. The session will be moderated by artist Tang Kwok Hin, who will also engage in a post-screening conversation with Master Ko.

了解2025年香港駐地藝術家交流詳情 & 廣東話藝文活動資訊

More info about the Hong Kong Artists Exchange & More Cantonese Events

2025 Hong Kong Arts Exchange is supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office of San Francisco (HKETO)

關於藝術家

鄧國騫是一位混合媒介藝術家，1983 年生於香港，2008 及 06 年分別取得香港中文大學藝術系 藝術碩士及文學士。鄧氏的創作始於對其原居民背景及生活點滴的追問，繼而發展出緊扣其生命 進程與經歷的探索，亦緊扣其生活的地方。他總浸淫於複雜、矛盾、掙扎的當下裡，從身邊及耳 聞目睹中反思自身與他人；現實與想像；過去與現在等人事物，繼而在混沌的情境裡呈現某時某 刻某種深埋的情緒、關懷及本質性，主題觸及成長、承傳、本土、自由、都市、消費、自然、政 治、規範、存在等。2009 年獲香港當代藝術雙年獎優秀獎，亦為 2013 年亞洲文化協會獎助金得主。

About the Artist

Tang Kwok-hin is a mixed media artist. He was born in 1983 and raised in Hong Kong. He received his Master of Fine Arts from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2008 and Bachelor of Arts (major in Fine Arts) in 2006. His artistic practice begins with exploration in his background as an indigenous inhabitant. Soon it gradually steps on the path of reflecting his life journey and experiences, as well as the environment he lives in. Tang delves into the complex, contradictory, and struggling present, observing his surroundings to introspect himself, others, reality, imagination, and the old and new. His work reveals hidden emotions, concerns, and essences amid chaos, addressing themes such as growth,

inheritance, locality, freedom, urbanization, consumption, nature, politics, norms, and existence. He was awarded the first prize at Hong Kong Contemporary Art Biennial in 2009 and was also a grantee of Asian Cultural Council in 2013.

舊金山中華文化中心

舊金山中華文化中心（CCC）創立 60 年來，通過藝術，將華埠提升為多姿多采的社區和移民經歷的象徵。CCC 於 1965 年民權運動期間成立，是為對種族歧視、被迫離鄉和士紳化的大膽回應。從一個得來不易的文化空間開始，CCC 已進化成充滿活力的樞紐，改變敘事，支持創新藝術，並促進社會正義。CCC 提升被邊緣化社群的聲音，重奪公共空間，透過展覽、藝術節和教育項目強化社區。特色項目包括「華埠歷史和藝術導覽」、「鮮銳：藝術家個展系列」以及「舊呂宋巷 41 號藝術家駐地計劃」。CCC 的場地遍及 Kearny 街、舊呂宋巷和新購置的都板街 667 號，矢志繼續捍衛移民及多元性向族群 LGBTQIA2S+ 的權利。CCC 屢獲美國國家藝術基金會及其他大型基金會的肯定，今年將以「華埠驕傲」、「華埠鬼節」和年度晚會慶祝成立 60 周年。

Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco

The Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco (CCC) has been at the forefront of uplifting and transforming Chinatown through the arts for over 60 years, both as a vibrant neighborhood and a metaphor for the immigrant experience. Founded in 1965 during the civil rights movement, CCC emerged as a place for humanity, dignity, and respect for all. Established as a cultural space for belonging through advocacy, CCC has since evolved into a dynamic hub that boldly shifts narratives, supports groundbreaking and innovative art, and advances social justice.

With strategic locations across Chinatown, including Kearny Street, Ross Alley, and the newly acquired 667 Grant Ave, CCC continues to fearlessly champion immigrant, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA2S+ voices and rights.

藝術到家(香港）

藝術到家為香港註冊的慈善文化藝術團體，自2008年成立以來，專注於在香港的公共空間策劃多元化的藝術項目，讓公眾更深入地體驗社區文化。我們鼓勵跨領域合作與知識分享，將文化、自然科學與藝術創作結合，為公眾提供探索文化多樣性與創意表達的平台。

Art Together Hong Kong

Art Together is a registered Hong Kong charitable cultural arts organisation dedicated to organising art projects in public spaces across Hong Kong since its establishment in 2008. Our mission is to engage the public in community culture and provide a platform for exploring cultural diversity and artistic expression. We promote interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange by integrating culture, natural sciences, and artistic creation.

妙蓮仙館

妙蓮仙館由高信繼道長於2013年在三藩市創辦，以菩薩慈悲為懷普渡眾生為宗旨，在海外僑民文化背景下弘揚道教教義及中國傳統文化。妙蓮仙館源於道教龍門派，扎根於三藩市日落區，專注於靜坐、自省、自癒等修行。

妙蓮仙館亦於2022年正式成為非牟利團體，為各界社區善信服務。妙蓮仙館至2024年創館多年來服務灣區市民，承蒙呂祖先師慈悲，賜示擴設分壇「妙蓮宮」於三藩市日落區，弘道立德，濟細度人，弘揚道德文化。

The Lotus Taoism Institute

The Lotus Taoism Institute was founded in San Francisco in 2013 by Taoist master Ko Seon Kee to promote Taoist teachings and preserve traditional Chinese culture in a modern diasporic context. Derived from the Lung Moon (‘Dragon Gate’) School of Taoism, the temple focuses on meditation, self-reflection, and self-healing practices in the serene Outer Sunset district. Taoist deities from Chinese mythology bless the space with a solemn yet uplifting atmosphere.

In 2022, the organization became the Lotus Tao Culture Association, a non-profit serving community members from all walks of life.

Guided by the compassionate teachings of Grandmaster Lui Jou, we have now expanded to establish a new Taoist temple in the Sunset on Irving. Learn more here.

關於華埠鬼節

鬼節（亦稱中元節或盂蘭節）是華裔群體的重要慶典，在香港、新加坡等地都有衍生出多種解讀和慶祝方式。人們相信，每年農曆七月十五開鬼門關，此時人間與冥界的界線模糊，是餓鬼和怒鬼來人間尋求安慰的日子——是不是有點驚悚？所以鬼節的儀式，多是爲了招待、赦免、安撫這些不安的靈魂。但與此同時，生者把酒餚、表演和獻祭供奉給靈界，不也是我們對史上有名或無名的創傷和不平的一種闡釋和療愈？

其實，鬼節之於華埠有一段鮮為人知的歷史。上世紀20年代前，超度亡靈的儀式（如打醮）和鬼節曾是各地華埠最重要、最具意義的活動之一。據記載，19世紀60年代到20世紀20年代間，加州華埠舉辦過類似慶典至少350次。或許，在移民，冤殺和排華的語境下，鬼節和打醮為那些倍受代際創傷和分離之痛的家庭帶來了一絲慰藉。然而，1906年地震之後，隨著對迷信和非基督教習俗的打壓，有鬼節傳統的廟宇逐一關閉且未得重建。儘管如此，鬼節還是在美國存活了下來，它以一個文化遺産的名義，記錄了華裔社區的堅韌和不屈。今天，鬼節經過多版本的複興，延續着化解悲怒的傳統。

2023年，舊金山中華文化中心（CCC）將長達十年的華埠音樂節徹底更新，打造了第一屆鬼節，讓這個傳統節日更適時、更市井。該節日吸引了華埠、原住民、拉丁裔、酷兒、國際友人和超過一萬名觀衆來一同分享鬼節的主題和精神。慶典當晚不僅有多元的表演陣容、大型公共藝術、祭壇，還有“大士王”遊行為華埠和各區祈福。在諸多藝術家、合作方和文化工作者的努力下，這個詼諧又充滿草根氣息的節日，向全市的人和靈張開雙臂。

About Hungry Ghost Festival

The Hungry Ghost Festival (also known as Zhongyuan Festival or Yulan Festival) is a special celebration for the Chinese diaspora, observed with unique interpretations worldwide in places like Hong Kong, Singapore, and beyond. Marking the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, this festival signifies a time when the boundary between the living and spiritual realms blurs. It is a day when the most hungry and angry ghosts come to the human realms to seek solace–and yes, it can be scary. Rituals surrounding the Hungry Ghost Festival would seek to distract, exonerate, or calm these restless spirits. There would be foods, performances, and other offerings to the spirit world, and in turn, it can be a healing way to combat both our seen and unseen grievances and rage.

A little-known history is that before the 1920s, Chinese rituals that sought to pacify angry spirits such as Da Jiao (打醮) and the Hungry Ghost Festival were some of the most important and deeply relevant celebrations in early Chinatowns, where over 350 of such festivals were documented throughout California Chinatowns between 1860s and 1920s. Perhaps, amid migrations, wrongful deaths, and exclusions, that was a period where Ghost Festival and Da Jiao rituals offered a sense of peace to those grappling with grief, generational traumas, and the ache of familial separation. However, after the 1906 Earthquake, with the tabooing of superstitions and non-Christian practices, many of the temples that sustained this tradition were closed or never rebuilt. Despite that, the Hungry Ghost Festival in the American context endures as a key Chinese cultural heritage that embodies notions of resistance and resilience–with many iterations reviving today that continue a legacy of reconciling with anger and sadness.

In 2023, the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco (CCC) refreshed the decade-long Chinatown Music Festival into the 1st Annual Hungry Ghost Festival–a contemporary neighborhood interpretation of this important holiday. The Festival brought together the Chinatown community, indigenous community, Latino communities, queer communities, international communities, and over 10,000 visitors in shared dialogue with the themes and spirit of the Hungry Ghost Festival. The night-time celebration included a diverse performance line-up, large-scale public art, altars, and a traditional “Ghost King” parade that blessed the Chinatown neighborhood and beyond. To reach Citywide communities and their ghosts, the festival involved a sense of playfulness, humor, grassroots vibes, and a whole lot of artists, partners, and cultural practitioners.

For the 3rd Annual Hungry Ghost Festival in 2025, we will embrace the theme, “Demons Of Our Times”, chasing the emotions and catharsis of rage and sorrow. The festival will be a rousing celebration with unique performances, a lively procession, and a bustling marketplace. Honoring our ancestors and wandering spirits into the night, we hope that the darker it gets, the bolder or more empowered we feel.