STORY: Experiencing vibes of Hong Kong's unique Bun Festival
SHOOTING TIME: May 15, 2024
DATELINE: May 17, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:42
LOCATION: HONG KONG, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of people lining up at Central Ferry Pier
2. STANDUP 1 (English): YU LIZHEN, Xinhua correspondent
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ALLISON, Visitor from New Zealand
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): RICHARD, Visitor from New Zealand 
5. STANDUP 2 (English): YU LIZHEN, Xinhua correspondent
6. various of celebrations of the Bun Festival in Cheung Chau, Hong Kong
7. STANDUP 3 (English): YU LIZHEN, Xinhua correspondent
8. STANDUP 4 (English): YU LIZHEN, Xinhua correspondent
9. various of the "piu sik" parade
10. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): Indonesian visitor
11. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): Indonesian visitor
12. various of the "piu sik" parade

STORYLINE:

STANDUP 1 (English): YU LIZHEN, Xinhua correspondent 
"I'm now on a ferry boat. Today, a large number of visitors are flocking to a small island south of Hong Kong to join one of the most colorful celebration events."

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ALLISON, Visitor from New Zealand 
"The Bun Festival. Busy, just think it's gonna be very busy or big towers with buns on the top."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): RICHARD, Visitor from New Zealand  
"We're just looking forward to experiencing what Cheung Chau (the island) has to offer. And also because Allison is vegetarian, she is trying some of the vegetarian food. This is our first trip to a Hong Kong island."

STANDUP 2 (English): YU LIZHEN, Xinhua correspondent
"The Bun Festival has been on China's national list of intangible cultural heritage since 2011."

For residents of Cheung Chau, a small island south of Hong Kong island, the Bun Festival is an important annual event.

It is said that the festival originated from the tradition of islanders dressing up as gods and going out to drive away ghosts and spirits. Over time, this practice has evolved into children dressing up as gods or ancient and modern figures, standing on a bracket about two meters high and parading along the street.

STANDUP 3 (English): YU LIZHEN, Xinhua correspondent
"No meat today, veggie burger available during the bun festival."

STANDUP 4 (English): YU LIZHEN, Xinhua correspondent
"Now it's two o'clock in the afternoon. I'm joining the 'piu sik' parade, one of the Bun Festival highlights. Look at the children dressed up as various figures."

The "piu sik" parade, one of the highlights of the Bun Festival, with children dressing up as deities and celebs on stilts, set off from Cheung Chau's Pak Tai Temple.
   
Accompanied by the sound of gongs and drums, the young actors waved and handed out sweets to the crowd, attracting many to take pictures.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): Indonesian visitor
"Amazing parade, the kids and everyone is doing so well. It's really, really nice."

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): Indonesian visitor
"Nice music, nice entertainment, very nice." 
Watching the "piu sik" parade, bun scrambling competition, and tasting the festival's signature buns... a string of exciting activities took place during the festival, attracting a large number of people to Cheung Chau and bringing business opportunities to the small island.

This year's Bun Festival started on May 12 and lasted until May 16. 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Hong Kong, China.
(XHTV)