Chi Kei is studying French in Paris (France). In her own French words, she shares her memories of Christmas celebrations in her native city, namely Hong Kong.
‘Christmas in Hong Kong is greatly and widely celebrated. Christmas Day (25 December) and the day after are holidays.
Around Christmas time, numerous small shops and stores begin to be richly ornamented with red, green, white and silver Christmas decorations. This is so gorgeous!
You must get a Christmas tree (a fir tree as in the European and American countries [translator’s note]), on the top of which you will attach a big big star. Strings of light and Christmas figurines, such as Santa Claus, the angels, Christmas flowers and Santa’s sleigh are hanged up all along the walls and windows.
In the evening of Christmas Eve, all decorations lighten up, particularly those located along Victoria’s port. This is such a wonderful thing to see! Still, on Christmas Eve, at night youngsters and families go out for a walk to look at the Christmas decorations. They take souvenir pictures.
Christmas in Hong Kong does not correspond to any peculiar religious celebration. However, people got used to sending Christmas cards to their family and friends.
On Christmas Day, people go to occidental restaurants and eat special foods. Youngsters and couples attend Christmas parties in friends’ home and have a great time during the whole night.’
Chi Kei
Paris, France
December 2004
ps: we appreciate Chi Kei’s efforts to write in French about Christmas in Hong Kong. She shows she is really adavancing fast on the study of the French language, to the point of expressing difficult concept about this celebration that, as she tells in her article, is not something very much felt in her native city. We wish Chi Kei all the best in her linguistic efforts in France.