Study Buddy (Explorer): Relive Hong Kong’s salt-making past at Unesco-recognised area as part of the Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival
- Tiny island south of Sai Kung used to hold a thriving Hakka community known for fishing and producing the commodity
- Each week, this page presents an interesting story that we have adjusted to be more accessible for all English learners
The Yim Tin Tsai Arts Festival features workshops and artwork that showcases the island’s history as a Hakka settlement. Photo: Winson WongContent provided by British Council
Read the following text, and answer questions 1-9 below:
[1] Yim Tin Tsai, a tiny island south of the Sai Kung peninsula, was once a thriving Hakka community where fishing and hunting were part of daily life. It also produced salt – Yim Tin Tsai literally means “little salt pan” in Cantonese – a commodity in high demand for preserving food before the invention of refrigeration.
[2] But things turned sour about a century ago when cheap salt imported from Vietnam and China forced residents to move in search of better opportunities, the final few leaving the island around 1998. At the beginning of 2000, steps were taken to revive the island’s salt pans, and the area transformed into an educational hub and eco-tourism destination that would later receive Unesco recognition.
[3] To shine a light on the island’s past, a salt-making workshop will be held there on November 19 and December 22 as part of the Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival. Taking place from November 15 to January 14, the festival – a celebration of arts, culture, nature and community – is organised by the Tourism Commission, curated by One Bite Design Studio and supported by Hong Kong Geopark.
[4] Spread among four islands – Yim Tin Tsai, Sharp Island, Kau Sai Chau and High Island – this year’s festival is themed “Joy Again, Stories” and offers a packed programme of guided tours, workshops, performances and talks, and showcases 18 artworks.
[5] Among the new art is Sails, an installation by Inkgo Lam Ka-yu on Kau Sai Chau, while The Glazed Island on Yim Tin Tsai was created by Keith Chan, Stephen Ip and Arnold Wong. Also on Yim Tin Tsai, visitors can see Margaret Chu’s Homeward Voyage, a fibreglass and metal sail-shaped sculpture that resembles doves in flight. It is one of the artworks retained from the 2022 festival.
[6] Immersive experiences on Kau Sai Chau include a dyeing workshop (participants must bring old clothes) and fishing net weaving sessions, giving a taste of a fisherman’s life. On High Island, villagers will demonstrate the Kirin, a traditional dance performed at ceremonies, while kayaking is among the activities on offer at Sharp Island.
Source: South China Morning Post, November 7
Questions
1. According to paragraph 1, Yim Tin Tsai is …
A. an island just off the coast of Sai Kung.
B. located in the south of Sai Kung.
C. part of the Sai Kung peninsula.
D. an island connected to the south part of Sai Kung.
2. What does the “commodity” in paragraph 1 refer to?
___________________________________________________
3. In paragraph 2, why did the Hakka community eventually leave Yim Tin Tsai?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Find a word in paragraph 2 that means “ to make something from the past exist again”.
_______________________________________
5. Decide whether the following statements in paragraphs 3 and 4 are True, False or the Information is Not Given. Fill in ONE circle only for each statement. (4 marks)
(i) The salt-making workshop will be held from November 15 to January 14.
(ii) Participants will learn how to use traditional tools to harvest salt from salt pans at the workshop.
(iii) The Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival is being held in four different locations.
(iv) During the festival, tour guides will lead visitors to places where salt used to be harvested.
6. Which artwork mentioned in paragraph 5 was displayed at an earlier festival?
___________________________________________________
7. On which island can Inkgo Lam’s artwork be found according to paragraph 5?
___________________________________________________
8. In paragraph 6, what do those taking part in the dyeing workshop need to bring along with them?
___________________________________________________
9. According to paragraph 6, Kirin is performed at …
A. birthday celebrations.
B. important occasions.
C. competitions.
D. all of the above
Answers
1. A
2. salt
3. It was because the production of salt became unprofitable due to the cheap salt imported from Vietnam and China. (accept other similar answers)
4. revive
5. (i) F; (ii) NG; (iii) T; (iv) NG
6. Homeward Voyage
7. Kau Sai Chau
8. old clothes
9. B