lifestyle · HK01

Kat O's Once-in-a-Decade Festival Kicks Off with 3,000 Returning Islanders

HK01 · 1 SOURCESabout 7 hours ago2 MIN

Summary

The 27th Kat O An Lung Tai Ping Qing Jiao, a once-in-a-decade Taoist purification festival with over 250 years of history, officially began on October 11, 2026, drawing thousands of former residents back to the island. The five-day event features traditional rituals, dragon and lion dances, Cantonese opera performances, and a special karaoke segment showcasing local folk songs. Village chief Zhou Siu-wa, who took on the role of chief coordinator for the first time, expressed concern about the aging organising committee and the lack of younger generations willing to take over.

Key Points

The 27th Kat O An Lung Tai Ping Qing Jiao runs from October 11 to 15, 2026, featuring traditional rituals, dragon-lion-unicorn performances, parades, and Cantonese opera
An estimated 3,000 islanders are expected to return to Kat O, which now has only about 50 permanent residents, compared to 6,000 residents in the 1950s-60s
Each festival costs at least HK$3 million, with overseas islanders contributing significantly through fundraising efforts
Village chief Zhou Siu-wa, a former overseas resident who returned to Hong Kong in recent years, is coordinating the entire event for the first time
Most members of the organising committee are aged 70 to 80, raising concerns about succession for the next festival

Why It Matters

Kat O's declining population from 6,000 to just 50 residents reflects broader rural depopulation trends across Hong Kong's outlying islands, and the potential loss of this 250-year-old cultural tradition would eliminate an important connection between the diaspora community and their ancestral home .