Hong Kong Stories: Connected with Hong Kong
The African Rhapsody
17/12/2024
內容
CONTENT
集數
EPISODES
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Dusk Till Dawn
Hong Kong’s night view is world renowned. For some, the night view they love is the glamourous and dazzling scenes of the ciyt’s bustle and hustle; for others, the atmosphere they yearn for is the unique, tranquil and elegant vibe of streets and lanes. Andrea Björsell, a Korean photographer from Sweden, who has lived in Hong Kong for seven years, is captivated by the images of Hong Kong –fascinating yet unobtrusive and often overlooked snapshots in our daily lives.
In the early days of the COVID outbreak, when everyone was idle at home and worried, Andrea took her camera and walked alone on the streets of Central and Sheung Wan late at night. Wandering around and relaxing, she took pictures which capture the essence of Hong Kong's character. A young lady’s waiting at a laundromat as a getaway, an office worker passing by calmly on a rainy and foggy night, a woman alone under a brilliant neon sign … are all the most charming Hong Kong in Andrea's eyes.
At the start, Andrea just wanted to express her depressed mood through roaming photography. Later on, she realized that with the daily photo, she had unknowingly documented the ups and downs of her moods, as well as the changes of the city. She then decided to kick-off a 100-day project "100 Days" , and was introduced to a local artist, Sin Sin-man. Sin curated Andrea’s first solo exhibition in Hong Kong and brought her work to a wider audience.
The images from the "100 Days" were made into a book, with Andrea’s mood notes. Now, let’s read her love letter to the city…10/12/2024收看 -
Black Beauty
Throughout history, Black people have experienced various forms of unfair treatment, with Black women's rights particularly under the spotlight. In today's society, the world is placing more emphasis on diversity, and the promotion of "beauty" and feminine charm is no longer dependent on skin color or race - anyone can become a representation and interpretation of "beauty". We are seeing more and more models and actors of different races appearing in advertisements and films, and Jemima Joy Gbadago's presence can also be seen in Hong Kong.
Joy is a Hong Kong-born Black model, theater actress, and photographer. Reflecting on her life that has been marked by the challenges of her race, she hopes to use her work to showcase the diverse concept of beauty, demonstrating that a black skin can also enjoy a colorful life.
Joy's father is from Nigeria and her mother is from the Philippines. They met while working in the catering industry in Hong Kong and initially planned to settle in the Philippines. However, after giving birth to Joy and her brother, they decided to seize the boundless business opportunities in Hong Kong and brought the family back, just as Joy was about to start kindergarten.
Joy's Nigerian father gave her African ancestry, a dark brown complexion, and a head of thick, curly hair. Looking back, she felt that her uniqueness made her not fit in with Hong Kong from a young age, and she experienced a lot of boycotts and bullying. Joy believes that although Hong Kong is known as an international metropolis, some local people have not yet broken through the barriers of skin color, so she constantly reminds herself to broaden her horizons. She decided to go to South Korea to study for a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry. On the university campus, she realized that she needed to take the initiative to bring about change and remove people's prejudices, so she returned to Hong Kong to pursue a Master's degree in Modern Asian Studies.
Although Joy's parents, influenced by the Asian culture of wanting their children to succeed, have always opposed her pursuing an artistic career, she believes that her photography, stage performances, or photographic works can showcase a kind of "beauty" that is beyond the stereotypical social framework. She wants to convey to the public that Black people are still striving to occupy a place on the stage of Hong Kong and the world.
While the global anti-discrimination movement has never ceased, Joy says that the status of the white community is still supreme, and she still feels that her own brown-black skin makes her inferior. Especially when she attends model or theater auditions, the cold treatment she sometimes receives can be suffocating. Therefore, she decided to pick up the camera herself, inviting a group of female friends of different races, ages, body shapes, and skin colors to different corners of Hong Kong, together showcasing this diverse "beauty". Outdoor enthusiast Joy hopes to use her lens to capture the scenery of Hong Kong, while also presenting the beauty of different models in the photos. Gradually, she has gained attention on social media and within the Black community. Recently, Joy has also actively participated in community activities related to women's and Black people's rights, such as cultural exchanges or teaching drama and African music in local schools, hoping to help Hong Kongers understand and accept different cultures and races.
The integration of diverse cultures and races is a key to Hong Kong's future development, and it requires the efforts and participation of everyone. Joy hopes to continue to inspire more people through her own story and works, to experience the diverse "beauty", to accept and understand different cultures and races, and to make Hong Kong more open and inclusive, achieving a harmonious society.03/12/2024收看 -
The Indian Emperor’s New Clothes
Raja Daswani is an Indian born and raised in Hong Kong. Translated homophonically into Chinese, his name means “emperor”, portraying his extraordinary life in Hong Kong.
In the early 1950s, Raja’s father and grandfather emigrated from India and opened a tailor shop in Tsim Sha Tsui. With their business sense and fluent English, the business went on track. At the age of 18, Raja started to take care of the tailor shop and later invested in properties, walking through storms over the years. This Indian emperor built his own tailoring empire in Hong Kong. Is this the success of the natural business acumen of the Indians, or a reward of his hard work and persistence?
Despite his Indian descent, Raja regards himself a Hongkonger. Always grateful for what he has, he thinks he has a responsibility to give back to the people in Hong Kong. He set up Feed Hong Kong, a non-governmental organization, in 2020, giving out meals and daily supplies to local underprivileged groups. He is determined to contributing both his money and efforts for a good cause.26/11/2024收看 -
The Road Not Taken
Ali came from Chad in Africa.
Before, Ali did not speak Chinese or English and he never thought of coming to Hong Kong. Now, Hong Kong became where he pursues his dream.
Ali was stranded at the airport for seven days upon arrival in Hong Kong in 2017. In this completely unfamiliar city, the university student who spoke only French and Arabic decided to take the road not taken: self-learning Chinese and English, studying a distance degree course by a UK university, volunteering for various organizations, and even marrying a Hong Kong woman.
Step by step, he integrated into Hong Kong. Yet he never forgot his homeland.
On another road not taken, Ali gave up his stable job in a big recreation club and works as construction worker. He hopes to save enough money and start a mineral trading company in Hong Kong, providing training and job opportunities for young people in Africa. The unfamiliar place has become home.
They are Africans. They are Hongkongers, They are also earth citizens.12/11/2024收看 -
Keep on Dancing
Dancing is a sport and leisure. It can also be a self-discovery journey.
On weekdays, Arya Jackson is an Indonesian domestic helper.
On Sundays, Arya puts on her dance costumes and takes up another role – leader of an Indonesian dance group, the Jackson Dancer. All six members of the group are “Indonesian helpers”. They came from different dance groups and were even competitors on stage before. Yet, their talents have brought them together.
Arya has left her home in Indonesia and started working overseas for over 20 years. She came to Hong Kong 17 years ago. To Arya and the dancers, Hong Kong is the place where they work. It is also the place where they have spent most of their youth.
Here in Hong Kong, they have found another way of life, a space and a stage that is not available back home. They also get to learn afresh and even promote the culture of their homeland.05/11/2024收看 -
A Warrior of Life from Pakistan
Ajmal studied in a military school and planned to become a pilot. But life is full of twists and turns.
Ajmal Samuel was a lieutenant in the Pakistani army when his vehicle fell off from the Kashmir mountains. The 21-year-old was left paraplegic. Settling down in Germany for convalescence, he came to Hong Kong to visit his parents. He was fascinated by the city and decided to stay.
Despite his physical limits, he has taken on challenge after challenge.
Discrimination was commonplace in Hong Kong in the 1990s. Despite obstacles and failures in his job search, he did not give up nor feel sorry for himself. Rather, he started out by repairing computers for foreigners, and then went on to work for a company in Silicon Valley. Later he started his own business that supports online trading, making a name for himself.
Along with his success in business is the physical pain which has never ceased since his injuries. To eliminate the side effects of morphine, Ajmal exercises to stimulate his body to release endorphin as painkiller. With invincible will, he stopped the medication naturally. His perseverance even leads him to represent Hong Kong as a para-athlete, taking part in many rowing events and winning in the Asian Games and other international competitions.
Ajmal also cares for the rights of other persons with disabilities. He hand-cycled in long-distance journeys to raise funds. He also founded an advocacy group with his friends to share his belief in equality with the business community and voice for the disabled.
The wheelchair-bound Ajmal didn’t give up his dream in flying. This summer, he is taking on a new challenge. What will this warrior of life have in store for him?22/10/2024收看 -
An Encounter on the Wall with You from France
She is everywhere. In restaurants, cafés or gyms in Wanchai, Central or Sheung Wan’s Soho area, you may have run into her - Elsa Jeandedieu. You may even have, like many locals and visitors, taken a photo with her.
Is Elsa a super woman with countless manifestations? Certainly, you are not really taking a photo with Elsa the person, but her murals.
Elsa was born in Southern France. Set to pursue a career in New York after studying art in France, Elsa followed her brother and came to Hong Kong in 2008. She was fascinated by the small and vibrant city and decided to take root Hong Kong. Elsa does not speak Cantonese, but her murals break the the invisible barriers between people.
Yet she had a tough time at the beginning. From the Mediterranean coast of Europe to a financial centre full of skyscrapers in the East, Elsa missed the French way of life at first – the sky became a small band of blue between buildings, getting a cup of coffee was an arduous task, the creative atmosphere was a world away from that of Paris... However, it is precisely the gap in cultural development that has allowed Elsa to find a unique place for herself in Hong Kong.
The city’s nature also captivates Elsa. She has fallen in love with distance running and has won numerous medals over the years. The nature has also become her inspirations in art.
Over the 16 years, she witnessed the thickening of the atmosphere of art in the city. She started her own studio in 2015. She holds her first solo art exhibition in Hong Kong last year. With paintbrushes and paint, Elsa tells the story of how a warm breeze from the Mediterranean Sea drifts mile after mile to the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong.15/10/2024收看 -
I am Thai-Hong Konger
Kit Wong is a third-generation Thai born and raised in Hong Kong.
“It feels like being caught in between, not fully a Thai nor a Hongkonger. It’s like being stranded in the middle of the road.”
Kit looks and lives just like a local young man, seamlessly integrates into Hong Kong's local culture. He participated in a reality dating show, hoping to find love and take roots in Hong Kong. He aspires to serve the community by applying to be a firefighter. Yet, he maintains strong ties to his Thai origins. He speaks fluent Thai and believes in Buddhism, the major religion in Thailand. During his childhood, he briefly became a novice monk in Chiang Mai and served a year in the Thai military.
Is he a Hongkonger, a Thai, or a Thai living in Hong Kong? How does he differ from the first and second generation Thais in the way they look at Hong Kong?01/10/2024收看 -
This is me：Marla Enriquez
Marla Enriquez is a Filipino born and raised in Hong Kong. She speaks fluent Cantonese, thanks to her mother, who encouraged her to immerse herself into the local culture by studying in local schools and making local friends.
On the surface, Marla is an English teacher who enjoys vlogging and sharing her daily life on social media, introducing the life of Filipinos in Hong Kong. Deep inside, the 26-year-old has a dream since childhood – to step onto the Broadway stage.
She was admitted to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in 2019, but the pandemic made her cease her study. Questioning herself, she almost gave up her dream.
But another door opens.
Marla met a group of like-minded mentors and friends. They share her passion for performing and help and support her. Marla finally took to the stage again. The performance not only fulfilled her desire to perform, but also shed light on the direction in pursuing her dream.24/09/2024收看
