As a key part of the RGC Collaborative Research Project “Lingnan Culture and the World” (2023–2026), the series also belongs to the “Chinese Culture Promotion Series”. Shifting its lens from the elite traditions of scholar-officials to the broader folk society, the theme of this year delves into the rich tapestry of Lingnan’s festive culture and ritual traditions. The two lectures depicted a multidimensional cultural landscape that integrates both refined traditions and folk customs, bridg ing the gap between “Lingnan in Texts” and “Lingnan in Rituals” and leading the public into Hong Kong’s temples and festival fieldwork to uncover the deep cultural significance of these celebrations.

Prof. Lai Chi Tim from the Department of Cultural and Religious Studies at CUHK delivered the first lecture. Titled “Celebrating Festivals and Divine Birthdays Through Daoist Rituals in Hong Kong Temples”, the talk examined local temples as sacred community spaces. In Hong Kong, temple worship is inclusive and transcends specific religious affiliations. Prof. Lai highlighted the “templeization of Daoist rituals”. This is evident in ceremonies like the Jiao Festival in New Territories villages, where professional Daoists manage ritual protocols. He also noted a shift in the religious landscape. While the School of Complete Perfection is gaining influence, the traditional temple rituals once led by “hearth-dwelling” (huoju 火居) Daoist masters of the School of Orthodox Unity are gradually declining.

The second lecture, “Half a Century in the Festival Field: A Self-Reflection on Hong Kong’s Jiao Festival”, was presented by Prof. Choi Chi Cheung, Adjunct Professor of the Department of History at CUHK. Prof. Choi traced his academic journey back to 1975. He discussed the Jiao Festival as a dynamic ritual tool, which serves to define geographical boundaries, delineate populations, and build collective identity. As environments change, these rituals and their interpretations constantly adapt. Increased participation from various groups has blurred the boundaries between “insiders” and “outsiders”. Prof. Choi emphasized that differences and changes in cultural behaviours reflected in ethnographic records should be viewed with sympathetic comprehension. While reminiscing about his past fieldwork experiences, Prof. Choi also presented a dynamic landscape of how religious festivals evolve within regional communities.

Through the lectures, the two scholars clarified the role of Daoist rituals in local temples. They also explored the evolution of festive rituals in modern society. The series significantly enriched the public’s understanding of Lingnan culture. The events attracted a diverse audience of more than four hundred attendees, including scholars, students, and members of the public from both mainland China and Hong Kong. Both sessions reached full capacity, featuring enthusiastic Q&A interactions and a vibrant atmosphere of academic exchange.