mag issue 10 + 11

THE VOICE Issues 10/11 Terms 3+4 2025

semester 2 EDITION

AISHK STUDENT MAGAzINE

Welcome to our Semester 2 student magazine You will all remember that last term we had terrible weather...well that affected our magazine production because we had some days away from school. However, the good news is that this term we have a bumper edition for you.

Split into 2 sections, we will cover all things Books, as well as articles on Winter Festivals.

We have included big think pieces and fun pieces, so scroll through and enjoy all the hard work put in by our team.

We wish everyone a fantastic holiday season, wherever you spend it. If you are leaving AISHK, we wish you well on your new adventure. If you are returning in 2026, we look forward to seeing you when you get back.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 01 Book Week 02 Rise of booktok 03 Book Review book think 04 05 classic dystopia 06 banned books 07 book-to-movie adaptation 08 winter festivals 09 mid autumn 10 diwali

TABLE OF CONTENTS 11 stories of diwali 12 halloween 13 wicked christmas 14 15 chatting with ms toufeili 16 things to do in winter in Hk 17 gingerbread man recipe 18 christmas puzzles 19 christmas playlist

ALL THINGS BOOKS

Book Week 25 book an adventure We were delighted to invite Mr Karl Malakunas, parent and award winning multi-media journalist, in to work with our Year 8 students. He inspired them with his tales of adventure both in everyday life and in his incredible career. You can find out more about Karl, his environmental work, and his documentary, Delikado, here.

Karl found a story he’d written in one of our library books, ‘Famous Front Pages’. It was a sad story but an amazing find.

RISE OF BOOKTOK

A captivating new literary movement has emerged to reflect our current times - the rise of BookTok. This book community was initially driven by Tik Tok as a space for book enthusiasts to share their reading experiences, start discussions and discover new books. However, in recent times, the tide has turned, and BookTok and its influence has expanded into unexpected areas.

What was once a positive force for book discovery has now turned into a concerning trend, with increasing explicit and mature content, leading many teenagers down a path where they are unknowingly exposed to steamy romance novels and graphic depictions far beyond what their parents or guardians may see as appropriate. The lack of age restrictions has raised alarm bells as the lines between literary exploration and unrestrained access to mature themes has become increasingly blurred.

As this digital book club continues to evolve, it is crucial that we strike a delicate balance between a love for reading and safeguarding the well-being of our youth, lest the tides of BookTok lead us down a path where genuine literary appreciation is seen as inferior to the shallow depths of unmonitored digital indulgence.

Natasha Au

Book Review

The Red Palace

by June Hur “To enter the palace means to walk a path stained in blood.”

As a longtime fan of crime, history and slow-burn romance, ‘The Red Palace’ by June Hur checked all my boxes. Set in the Joseon period in Korea, the story follows a palace nurse named Hyeon, determined to solve a string of murders. Her mentor, Nurse Jeongsu, has been falsely accused of committing these crimes, and Hyeon teams up with a young police inspector, Seo Eojin, to find the real murderer.

The book is thrilling and emotional, leading our protagonists down a blood-stained path that risks more than their lives.

Hyeon and Eojin are both relatable and compelling characters, willing to sacrifice themselves for the ones they love most. They are headstrong and intelligent with an undeniable connection.

The relationship between these strong characters gives the story much of its appeal. Anyone could fall in love with it.

Book

Think

Seeing Both Sides: What ‘Things Fall Apart’ Teaches Us About Africa’s Past and the Dual Perspective

Thomas Pulsford Old books might seem dusty and irrelevant, but they are often packed with lessons we still need today. Literature from the past doesn’t just tell stories— it shows us how people thought, what they valued, and how they dealt with change. In a world full of opinions and hot takes, these stories help us slow down and think deeply. They remind us that history isn’t black and white—it’s full of messy, complicated truths. That’s why Book Week isn’t just about dressing up or picking your favourite read—it’s a chance to reflect on what older literature can teach us about who we are and how we’ve progressed.

Or have we?

We are more informed than ever, and ever more ignorant for it. While the world is not famished for information it is depleted of understanding.

Perhaps we’re infinitely richer in perspectives. But not when it comes to the ‘dual perspective’, the appreciation of both viewpoints. Yes, you may be ‘staying informed.’ But failing to explore dual perspectives is the intellectual equivalent of surviving on a diet of spinach. You might survive, but not without ending up with kidney stones and the food safety department sliding into your DMs. Ignoring dual perspectives is not sustainable and it’s not smart.

However, one of the things we take on more readily than nutritional diseases is generalised viewpoints. Consider how we talk about pre-colonial Africa. Depending on your political position, you may see it as a land of chaos or a lost Utopia. For years, people saw Africa as the ‘Dark Continent’, wild and uncivilised. Then, it was reimagined as a civilisation of deep wisdom and noble traditions. But while both ideas have occupied the limelight, neither reveals the complexity of reality.

Things Fall Apart Things Fall Apart’, published in 1958 by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, is a novel positioned to recognise the perceived atrocities of colonisation as well as take a hard look at pre-colonial society.

Bewilderingly then, the first hundred-something pages do not mention colonisation. While upsetting for the few expecting to ‘book an adventure’ about ‘The Pacification of the Primitive Tribes of the Lower Niger’ (yes, that is a real chapter title from the 1950s), Achebe’s choice is thoroughly judicious. He wants us to sit with the culture of Umuofia, the village where the story unfolds, and its complex hero, Okonkwo. He exposes many of their perceived flaws; superstition, brutality and a willingness to impose their culture on others.

Moreover, what sets ‘Things Fall Apart’ apart from other colonial texts, is how Achebe renders the same representation without the sentimentality.

Throughout the text, Achebe approaches the topic with a blunt and scientific tone, stripping the topic of its veneers.

And it’s this factuality that lets Achebe reconcile the conflicting perspectives on pre-colonial Africa. He does not pick a side; he paints the full picture. Precolonial Africa was never just wise elders and beautiful rituals. It also had flaws. And colonisation was never just evil invaders; it brought change, both good and bad. Achebe shows us that both worlds had their virtues and their horrors.

‘Things Fall Apart’ is not the typically beautiful story. What’s more, it is not a story of triumph but of the human experience. It teaches us to look beyond the headlines, the stereotypes and the single stories. Most importantly, it is remarkable in its ability to reconcile two contrasting viewpoints and assemble a depiction of reality.

Classic Dystopia‌ Classic dystopian novels like Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World" and George Orwell's "1984" have long been praised as prescient, foretelling the rise of authoritarian control, pervasive surveillance, and the numbing effects of technology on human society. In these bleak visions of the future, the individual is subjugated to the whims of the state, personal freedoms are eroded, and critical thinking is stifled in favour of a docile, complacent populace.

While these works were written decades ago, many of their darkest predictions have since materialized, sparking discussions about the uncanny accuracy with which these authors anticipated the trajectory of our modern world. As we grapple with the erosion of privacy, the proliferation of "fake news," and the growing power of digital platforms to shape and manipulate our thoughts and behaviours, it's hard not to see the echoes of these dystopian nightmares. Perhaps these visionary authors, in their bleak imagination, were holding up a mirror to the human condition, warning us of the dangers that lurk when we surrender our autonomy to the seductions of technology and the lure of false security.

Their prescient tales serve as a cautionary reminder that the future is not set in stone, and that vigilance, critical thinking, and an unwavering commitment to individual liberty are essential to preserving the humanity that lies at the heart of our civilization.

banned books‌‌ Kiran Esvaran Book bans in countries across the globe are not new. As long ago as 213 BCE, Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty, ordered the destruction of philosophical texts and history books from previous dynasties. One of the most well-known bans was the 1933 mass book burnings in Nazi Germany, targeting works by Jewish, communist, and liberal authors. In the 1960s, Australia banned James Baldwin’s Another Country and the United Kingdom banned Hubert Selby’s Last Exit to Brooklyn. In the 1980s, India, Pakistan and Malaysia, amongst others, banned Salman Rushdie’s Satanic Verses. Today, books are still banned for themes of race, sexual content, politics and religion. More recently, the banning of books in parts of America has brought this subject to the fore once again. Some states are trying to ban certain books. Where they have been unsuccessful at banning books, they have attempted to restrict them in public libraries and schools. So, what does it mean to restrict books in schools?

Consider this scenario: a middle schooler reads a book where characters engage in harmful activities that are portrayed as exciting or normal. Without the life experience to critically analyse these situations, some young readers might view these behaviours as acceptable or even desirable. Perhaps the book will unduly influence their behaviour. But the problem is, how do we know if it is the book that is influencing the poor behaviour or something else?

banned books‌‌ Kiran Esvaran

Probably, we can never know for sure. So, does that mean that parents should have more say over the books their children read?

Should parents be allowed to have books banned from the library?

Should parents trust that a solid education that includes breadth and depth and skills will equip students with the tools to deal with mature content or to stop reading a book that they are not ready for? Should schools be self-censoring to ensure that students do not have access to books with mature content?

As always, there are different perspectives on this topic. If parents or schools ban certain books, it may protect kids from darker themes that a child may not be mature enough to handle.

Supporters of book banning argue it's about safeguarding young minds from content they are not yet ready to process. We should keep them away from characters making dangerous choices that seem glamorous or consequence-free on the page.

However, book banning is also often done as a form of censorship.

Books that address themes such as race, religion, rebellion, or gender are some of the most prone to being banned. Critics of book banning may say that children should be exposed to such controversial topics as they allow exposure to a broader worldview.

Many subjects discussed in commonly banned books are simply ingrained in our modern lives. It can additionally be argued that children should be exposed to views that their parents aren't in agreement with, to allow said child to develop an individual viewpoint. For an individual viewpoint to be balanced, differing points of view must be taken into consideration.

banned books‌‌ Kiran Esvaran

All in all, book banning, like many issues, is highly double sided, with major arguments both promoting and discouraging book banning. What the issue seems to encompass at its core is the amount of control a parent should have over a child’s access to information and the variety of viewpoints the child is able to access.

We all know about the dangers of too much screen time and the dangers of addiction in gaming, but reading was always seen as the more ‘respectable’ medium. It expands our knowledge and improves our critical thinking skills. But how do teenagers know if their knowledge and skills are being fostered or if their choice of book will lead to anxiety? And, as parental consent is not a requirement for the borrowing of school library texts, this could lead to the consumption of texts deemed inappropriate by parents.

book-to-movie adaptation‌ Natasha Au Reading a book is a one-of-a-kind experience. You get immersed in a world that is entirely not your own and the features of each book deeply affect the experience you have as a reader. But when a book is adapted for the silver screen, there are a hundred ways it could go wrong.

So, what makes a good adaptation? Is a 100% faithful adaptation “good”?

Do the characters need to look and behave the same? How accurate does the setting need to be? There is no definitive answer to any of these questions, and it differs for each story. Ultimately, the goal is to honour the soul of the story while reshaping it for a new medium. A successful adaptation doesn’t just retell, it reimagines. It understands the art of cinema, the visual language of storytelling, and the emotions that resonate on screen.

Some of the greatest movies are all adapted from books: The Godfather, The Princess Bride, The Shawshank Redemption, Jurassic Park, Jumanji and so many more. And yet, for every masterpiece, there’s a misfire. Films that strip away the nuance, flatten the characters, or miss the emotional heartbeat of the original. The difference often lies in intention: was the adaptation made to serve the story, or simply to capitalize on its popularity?

Take Percy Jackson, for example. The original movie adaptations aged up the characters, rewrote key plot points, and sidelined the emotional arcs that made the books resonate with young readers. Fans felt betrayed, not because every detail was changed, but because the spirit of the story was lost. In contrast, the recent Disney+ series has made a conscious effort to restore that spirit. With age-accurate casting, author Rick Riordan’s direct involvement, and a slower, more thoughtful pace, the show feels like a love letter to the original novels.

book-to-movie adaptation‌ Casting choices often spark debate, especially when race or appearance diverge from the book. But if the actor captures the character’s essence, their heart and voice, does it matter if they look different? Leah Sava Jeffries’ portrayal of Annabeth Chase in Percy Jackson and the Olympians challenged expectations, but her performance won over many sceptics. Fans felt as if she truly embodied the character, regardless of her appearance.

This raises another question: how much creative liberty is too much? In Anne with an E, the writers didn’t rewrite Anne of Green Gables, they expanded it. By weaving in themes of feminism, racism, and trauma, they gave the story new relevance while preserving its historical setting. Some viewers felt it strayed too far; others saw it as a necessary evolution. The truth is, adaptation is interpretation, and interpretation is always personal.

So, whilst there isn’t a definitive answer for this question, we know that a great adaptation doesn’t copy, but rather it adjusts. It keeps the heart of the story alive while reshaping it for a new audience in a new format. Whether it’s faithful or fresh, what matters most is that it makes us feel something real. If the story still speaks to us, then the adaptation has done its job.

Natasha Au

Winter Festivals‌ There are many Winter Festivals around the world. They are celebrated for many reasons, sometimes religious and often to help people stay cheerful during dark winter months.

Many of the reasons that we have these celebrations have been lost or evolved over time. We have focused on how the festivals began and what they look like today. In our ‘Christmas’ articles, we are looking at ways in which the festive season can positively influence people regardless of religion, and how we need to peek underneath the shiny consumer veneer to find the true meaning of Christmas.

Enjoy the articles! You can read them whilst listening to our Christmas playlist.

Mid-Autumn Festival The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is a traditional celebration held on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. Families gather to enjoy mooncakes, light lanterns and admire the moon as symbols of reunion, gratitude, and hope for prosperity.

Diwali Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most important Hindu celebrations. It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Families decorate their homes with oil lamps (diyas) and colorful rangoli, exchange sweets and gifts, and enjoy fireworks. The festival also honors Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, making it a time for renewal, joy, and togetherness.

Stories of Diwali

By Kiran Esvaran Diwali. Deepavali. Deepawali. Regardless of what you call it, it is a festival of light. Families decorate their doorsteps with colorful powdered designs known as “rangoli” and clay oil lamps known as “diyas”. The name originates from a sanskrit word, dipavali – translated to “row of lights”. It is a joyful time for all, with large family gatherings, and diasporic individuals such as myself often use the festival to reconnect with their cultural identity. In Hong Kong, many international schools also attempt to highlight the celebration, with varying levels of success.

There are many regional stories surrounding the festival. The most wellknown story originates from Northern India and is tied to Hinduism. The epic poem Ramayan is the main story you hear when Diwali is brought up.

However, I will highlight a lesser-known example. In South India, a common story also with Hindu origins, is that Diwali celebrates the defeat of Hiranyakshipu, a demon. This demon was slain by Narasimha, one of Vishnu, the preserver of the universe’s, many incarnations. Hiranyakshipu believed himself invincible, as he could not be killed at night or day, or with projectile or handheld weapons – this was granted by Brahma, the creator of the universe. Narasimha cleverly killed him at dusk with his claws.

An interesting parallel is the slaughter of Macbeth in William Shakespeare’s fictional work named after the titular character.

Macbeth also thought himself invincible due to a set of prophecies granted by the three witches, which conversely ended up as his downfall.

But all of these stories share a common root: the notion that good triumphs over evil. A theme so ingrained in human nature that it transcends cultures, continents, and races. The firecrackers lit on someone's rooftop, the fireworks that illuminate the otherwise darkened sky, the oil lamps on the balcony, all are examples of light overtaking darkness. Why do humans of all types love this theme so much? Perhaps it makes us feel safe, that good will always win, and that everything will be fine in the end no matter what.

Halloween Thomas Pulsford

It’s easy to take holidays for granted. I mean they’re excellent opportunities to sleep, play and water your fiddleleaf figs. As such, their origins are rarely discussed. And when they are, the conversation rarely progresses beyond a superficial boast of knowledge. The truth is, you can trace most holidays in Western culture through the same few processes: ambiguous origins, a gradual cultural suffocation and a capitulation to consumerism. Let’s test that out with Halloween and Easter.

Academics believe holidays such as Halloween and Easter emerged from the basic human need for gathering and timekeeping. They coincide with important pagan dates: the end of the harvest and the spring equinox. In a time when you counted your age by the winters you survived and your ‘aura’ was dictated by the barley you had, it was common practice to celebrate these occasions.

However, both holidays have evolved so drastically since their origins that they’re both unrecognisable from the original celebrations. Yet, both are the holidays they are now thanks to the same fundamental process, creolisation.

Creolisation is the process by which cultures contact and fuse with each other to create something new. It’s like smashing ingredients together and ending up with something very different from how it started out. In this context, it’s Christianity grafted onto those pagan traditions. Easter and Halloween were placed alongside these festivals for symbolic purposes: those being the rebirth of Jesus and the commemoration of martyrs.

But who knows that? Today, consumerism is rife. Every corporation and its dog runs down the steps giddy at the chance to exploit the occasion. Candy companies? They increase profits by selling branded confectionary. Wrestling promoters? They cash in by putting on themed events. ‘The Voice’? We will release a bumper edition saturated with festive content to entice lots of readers. The market inevitably finds a way to commodify any type of celebration.

These holidays are leveraged as marketing powerhouses and commercialism has turned them into strongholds for profit.

Halloween and Easter have similar roots. They come from times when celebrations were a way to get through the winter and mark the passage of time. They were then adopted by religion and remoulded themselves into religious festivals. Over time, the roots of the celebrations and their religious associations have faded more and more into the background with the romance and mythology. Easter and Halloween are now commercial and cynical…but fun enterprises. They take our money but give us treats and entertainment in return. It’s a shallow evolution that has gone from serving basic human needs and purpose to mostly being about profit.

Elmo Wong

Wicked by Gregory Maguire is a fantasy novel that tells the story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, from a different perspective. Rather than a scary villain, Elphaba is portrayed as a smart, misunderstood woman in a world full of unfair treatment, lies, and power struggles.

The book explores her childhood, her fight for justice, and reveals that Oz isn’t the magical place we thought. Instead, it’s a broken land where it’s difficult to determine who is good or bad.

Key characters like Glinda, Boq, Fiyero, Nessarose, the Wizard, and Madame Morrible shape Elphaba’s journey.

Some, like Fiyero, genuinely care for her. Others, such as the Wizard and Morrible, manipulate people through fear and deceit. Characters like Dr. Dillamond, Ama Clutch, Liir, Turtle Heart, and Sarima add further depth to the story.

Wicked illustrates that people aren’t always what they seem. Elphaba isn’t evil, the Wizard isn’t a hero, and Glinda isn’t always correct. It’s a powerful story about identity, justice, and the complexities of the world.

I recommend this book to fantasy lovers, fans of twisted fairy tales, and older teens or adults who enjoy deeper, more serious stories. Just a heads-up, it’s much darker and more detailed than the Wicked musical.

Christmas Christmas is a festival celebrated on December 25, marking the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time of joy, family gatherings, and traditions such as exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church services, and sharing festive meals.

Christmas is a season of goodwill, a time when we pause to wish peace and kindness to all. At this time of year, our thoughts turn especially to those who have endured hardship and loss, particularly in places torn by conflict. We recently spoke with Ms. Toufeilli, who shared her personal connection to Gaza, where many of her family live amidst ongoing struggles. Today, we think of those on every side of the conflict in Gaza.

We also pause to think of those affected by violence in other areas, such as the people of Ukraine and the people of Sudan. We hope for peace, safety, and opportunity for every person enduring violent conflict.

In Hong Kong, we also remember all those lost and impacted by the Wang Fuk Court fires.

Chatting with...

Ms Toufeili The area around Gaza, near Bethlehem, is important in the Christmas story because it was part of ancient Judea, where Christians believe Jesus was born. Shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem were among the first to hear of Jesus’ birth. This land was historically a crossroads of cultures and trade, symbolizing connection and openness, values that resonate with the Christmas message of peace and goodwill. Today, even amid conflict, it is hoped that there will be peace and unity across divides.

Ms Toufeili, it has been hard to watch what is going on in the Middle East between Palestine and Israel. You were born in Lebanon, which is part of the Levant (an important area historically, that includes modern-day Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, and parts of Turkey). To remind us of the area’s vibrant history and culture, please tell us a bit about your family’s Lebanese background and your memories and experiences of being there.

Natasha Au, Maria Mang

Where were you born?

I was born in Beirut, Lebanon, but spent my early childhood in Shmistar, a village nestled between Baalbek and Zahleh on the eastern slope of Mount Sannine. Mornings were magical—the sun rising over the mountains, casting long shadows across fields of wheat and tobacco. I was known as a wanderer, often found sitting with the neighbour’s chickens. The air was rich with the scent of wild thyme, damp earth, and fresh bread from clay ovens. I lived there until I was four, when my family left Lebanon, crossing into Syria and eventually flying to Australia.

Where were your parents born?

My father was born in Shmistar and is Lebanese, with a trace of Italian ancestry from generations past. My mother was born in 1953 in Tel al-Zaatar, a refugee camp in Beirut. Her parents were originally from Alma, Palestine, and fled to southern Lebanon in 1948 with six children. The youngest, my Aunt Fatima, was just a month old. They left behind their land, businesses and almond and olive trees that had been in the family for five generations. My grandmother used to tell stories of their escape, carrying only a few loaves of bread, believing they’d return in days once the British army retreated. My mother never became a naturalised Lebanese citizen and lived her adult life as a Palestinian refugee.

Who lived in your house when you were growing up?

In Lebanon, I lived with my parents, two sisters and a brother in a modest home built by my grandfather on his land. My grandmother lived just down the dirt road, and my uncle had his own house nearby. It was a close-knit family community. If there was a wedding, everyone in the village was invited.

Is being Lebanese different from being Palestinian in terms of cultural identity?

Yes, while Lebanese and Palestinian cultures share language, food and traditions, they are distinct. Lebanese identity is rooted in national pride and history, and growing up I identified more with that, partly because it’s tradition to take your father’s nationality.

Also, being Palestinian often sparked confusion or debate. So, I celebrated poets like Khalil Gibran, rolled Lebanese kebabs and proudly shared stories about the Phoenicians, who were said to have invented numbers. This was all connected to my Lebanese identity.

But my Palestinian identity lives through my mother, her accent, her stories, her food. She would say, “This is my mother’s food on the table,” and taught us how to press olives, make yoghurt and appreciate the crafts of her homeland. She would embroider board games onto pieces of cloth and tell stories of a lost wealth and homeland she longed for.

What do you treasure most about your heritage?

Being half Lebanese, half Palestinian, an Australian citizen, and a Hong Kong permanent resident for over 18 years, I carry a rich blend of cultures that shape how I see the world. What I treasure most is the tradition of education, the belief that learning is a legacy worth passing on. As the Lebanese poet Kahlil Gibran once wrote, “Perplexity is the beginning of knowledge.” It reminds me that asking questions is where true learning begins.

I also cherish the beauty and depth of the Arabic language.

Sometimes, English doesn’t have the words to describe a flavour or a feeling the way Arabic does. It’s a language full of emotion and poetry. People speak with passion, using phrases like “qalbi maʿak”—“My heart is with you,” or “damʿat al-ʿayn aghla min adhdhahab”—“A tear from the eye is more precious than gold.” In our culture, being emotional isn’t a weakness—it’s a way to connect deeply and show sincerity. And, of course, there’s the hospitality.

Even in times of hardship, families go out of their way to welcome guests with dignity. Kindness is seen as a sign of strength and honour, a true measure of wealth.

Does storytelling and mythology play a big part in your culture, and if so, what is a story or myth you grew up with?

Storytelling is a vital part of Palestinian and broader Levantine culture—it’s how traditions, values, and history are passed down through generations. While some of the stories I grew up with weren’t uniquely Palestinian, they were deeply rooted in the region’s shared heritage. Tales like Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves were part of my childhood, filled with magic, cleverness, and lessons about justice and humility. I remember when Disney released Aladdin, it was exciting to hear Arabic words in mainstream media and see a strong character like Princess Jasmine, who challenged expectations. Beyond the fantasy, the story carried meaningful messages: don’t judge too quickly, and sometimes laws and customs need to change for the greater good.

It also reminded us that those in power have a responsibility to bring about fairness and change.

Are there any books you would recommend people to read about Palestine and its culture?

“Gaza Writes Back”, edited by Refaat Alareer, offers a rare and powerful glimpse into life in Gaza through the eyes of young writers, sharing personal stories of resilience, loss, and hope—all written in English to reach a global audience and challenge stereotypes with authentic voices. My favourite book is “In Search of Fatima” by Ghada Karim. A moving memoir about identity, exile, and growing up between cultures, it resonates deeply with me, and I believe many students in Hong Kong can relate to its themes. Like Karmi, we often find ourselves navigating the complexities of belonging, with one foot in two or more cultures, trying to understand where we truly fit.

What other hobbies and pastimes are part of your culture?

Dance is another joyful part of Palestinian life. The traditional dance, dabke, is taught from a young age and brings people together in celebration. I remember many nights visiting aunts and uncles in the suburbs of Melbourne, where the dabke would carry on into the early hours, full of laughter and rhythm.

Embroidery and crochet have a long tradition, and it is thought that the medical gauze we use today originated from Gaza. Aside from that, embroidery is also more than decoration, it’s storytelling through thread. My mother often embroidered and crocheted when I was growing up, but the water jug cover is the thing I recall most. At the time, I thought it was ugly, but now, I would love to have one in my own house; her careful stitches that made everyday objects feel sacred.

Food is central to Palestinian gatherings. Each recipe carries history and memory, passed down through generations. Dishes like maqluba, and kanafeh appeared often on our table. My family would get together to prepare date-filled biscuits for celebrations or preserve olives and press our own olive oil using traditional techniques. But the best thing my mum made was fresh bread on a saj. It was thin and soft, and she only ever made it when she felt nostalgic for home. She would sit in the backyard on the ground beside her wood burning saj and sing songs while she kneaded the bread and peeled it off to our waiting hands. I don’t think anything in the world tastes better.

Palestinian culture is full of warmth, creativity, and resilience. Whether through dance, embroidery, storytelling or food, it continues to thrive.

And the older I get, the more I want to connect with it again.

Modern-day Slavery and Other Reasons not to Gift Advent Calendars Thomas Pulsford

So, there you are in the gift shop, drenched in trepidation. It’s there! A physical copy of “But the Regrets are Killing Me” by Midwestern emo band American Football. “Yes!” you proclaim, waving your arms and frolicking in your moist jerkin. Your mother will love her physical copy of “But the Regrets are Killing Me” just as much as that Madison presidency Christmas card.

Unfortunately, your mother doesn’t appreciate the present or the gift-giving warpath you’ve blazed. And yet, the world seems determined to locate and bombard itself with an assortment of unappreciated and unwanted gifts. Surely, we all have that shirt, puzzle book or elaborate pen we could have done without. The system of Christmas giving is thus, fundamentally flawed. Without the ability to determine what someone truly wants we are reduced to mere guessing. Now there are obviously multiple explanations but think about how ridiculous the premise itself is: giving gifts whilst bound by secrecy.

But for many, the suppressed dissatisfaction of receiving a gift is well outweighed by the rush of giving one. Compared to that other 52% who want to receive Christmas gifts, 78% claim enjoyment from foisting them on others. And while it’s easy to understand this tendency, not only does it magnify the harms of gift-giving, but it engenders the very antithesis of Christmas spirit, a culture of materialism. The obligation of gift giving is more like a quota than an act of generosity. As such, we have collectively created the unspoken, yet ubiquitous expectation that others will partake in this process and meet the standards imposed by others — one which encourages not only unhealthy competition but also continued and systematic materialism.

Regardless, the tendency is human. Unfortunately, so is that of shortsightedness. It’s not like we’re filling out an environmental impact statement every time we make a purchase. Resultingly, we see over $1,000,000,000 wasted in unused presents and 150,000 km of wrapping paper expended in Australia alone. Now that you may have known. The environmental impact of Christmas is obvious, especially compared to the underappreciated issue of slavery.

Yet worldwide, estimates predict that 27.6 million people may be engaged in forced labour. Moreover, indentured labourers make some of the most common Christmas gifts we buy: clothes, chocolate, consumer electronics. To illustrate, consider that 0.42% of Cote D'Ivoire's adult cocoa workers have been in forced labour.

Now imagine buying an advent calendar where each box had that same chance (0.42%) of containing ‘slave chocolate.’ How many people would have to do this for the chance of buying slave chocolate to be more than 50%? Just seven. And we buy far more than seven advent calendars per year. I may be oversimplifying that calculation. But the truth is that unlike the presents themselves, it’s easy to appreciate the cost of our consumerism.

There may be no rainforests denuded or populations subjugated by our Christmas cheer; that is the domain of the corporation. But never mind that. The point is: our shortsighted obsession with gifts is not only counterproductive to the Christmas spirit but also a way of perpetuating modern slavery. The thankless materialism that dominates our Christmas gifts not only bores this hole deeper, it defaces its very motivation: the Christmas spirit.

WINTER 2025

Things to do in HK ICE SKATING Go to one of Hong Kong’s ice rinks to try out your triple axel or perfect your spin. There are many

ice

rinks

in

the

city,

including Cityplaza’s Ice Palace, Festival

Walk’s

Glazier

and

Discovery Bay’s Ice Rink.

HK ARTS FESTIVAL 27 FEBRUARY TO 30 MARCH Do you like ballet? Or perhaps you enjoy plays? Listening to opera? Then the HK Arts Festival is for you. There is a dizzying array of shows and there will be one in there for you. There are family shows too.

HIKE Hike with your friends and family. Hong Kong has many iconic trails. Climb the Dragon’s Back or enjoy the nature out at Bride’s Pool. If you are not going with your family

members,

remember

to

take

precautions such as sunscreen, lots of water and let your family know where you are going and when you will return.

Gingerbreadman Recipe Most of us love a festive Christmas snack? In this edition we bring you the classic gingerbread man. It not only tastes amazing, but your house will also smell incredible, as the ginger and cinnamon waft through the rooms. And you know everything tastes better when you make it yourself…

What will you need?

Ingredients:

· 300g of all-purpose flour · ½ a tsp of baking powder · 2 tsp of ground ginger · 1 tsp of ground cinnamon · ¼ tsp of ground nutmeg · 1/8 teaspoons of salt · 100g of room temperature butter · 75g of brown sugar · 45g of golden syrup · 1 egg · 70g of room temperature milk · A bag of white chocolate Decoration ingredients: · Egg white of 1 egg · ½ a teaspoon of lemon juice · 150g of icing sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

COMBINE DRY INGREDIENTS: IN A MEDIUM BOWL, WHISK TOGETHER THE FLOUR, BAKING POWDER, GROUND GINGER, CINNAMON, NUTMEG, AND SALT. SET ASIDE FOR L ATER. CREAM BUTTER AND SUGAR: USING AN ELECTRIC MIXER, BEAT THE SOFTENED BUTTER AND SUGAR UNTIL THE MIXTURE IS LIGHT AND FLUFFY. ADD WET INGREDIENTS: GRADUALLY ADD THE SYRUP, EGG, AND MILK TO THE BUTTER MIXTURE, BEATING UNTIL EVERYTHING IS JUST COMBINED AND SMOOTH. INCORPORATE DRY INGREDIENTS: SIFT THE FLOUR MIXTURE INTO THE WET INGREDIENTS. ADD IT IN THREE SEPARATE BATCHES, MIXING ON LOW SPEED AFTER EACH ADDITION UNTIL JUST COMBINED. FORM THE DOUGH: SWITCH TO A SPATUL A AND GENTLY MIX UNTIL A COHESIVE DOUGH FORMS. BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVERMIX. CHILL THE DOUGH: DIVIDE THE DOUGH INTO TWO EQUAL PORTIONS. FL ATTEN EACH PORTION INTO A DISC, WRAP TIGHTLY IN PL ASTIC WRAP, AND REFRIGERATE FOR AT LEAST 1 HOUR. PREHEAT OVEN: PREHEAT YOUR OVEN TO 170°C (340°F). LINE A BAKING SHEET WITH PARCHMENT PAPER. ROLL AND CUT: REMOVE ONE PORTION OF DOUGH FROM THE REFRIGERATOR. ON A LIGHTLY FLOURED SURFACE, USE A ROLLING PIN TO ROLL THE DOUGH TO ABOUT 0.3CM (1/8 INCH) THICKNESS. USE GINGERBREAD COOKIE CUTTERS TO CUT OUT SHAPES. TRANSFER TO SHEET: CAREFULLY PREPARED BAKING SHEET.

TRANSFER

THE

CUT-OUT

COOKIES

TO

THE

REPEAT: REPEAT THE ROLLING AND CUTTING PROCESS WITH THE REMAINING PORTION OF DOUGH. BAKE: BAKE IN THE PREHEATED OVEN FOR 12-15 MINUTES, OR UNTIL THE EDGES ARE JUST STARTING TO TURN GOLDEN. PREPARE DECORATION: MELT THE WHITE CHOCOL ATE IN A HEATPROOF BOWL OVER A PAN OF SIMMERING WATER (A DOUBLE BOILER) OR IN THE MICROWAVE IN SHORT BURSTS. STIR IN THE DESIRED FOOD COLORING. DECORATE: TRANSFER THE COLORED CHOCOL ATE INTO A PIPING BAG. SNIP A VERY SMALL HOLE AT THE TIP AND DECORATE THE COOLED GINGERBREAD COOKIES AS DESIRED.

CHRISTMAS PUZZLES

click the link

Christmas Puzzles - WhyChristmas.com

CHRISTMAS MUSIC ON SPOTIFY

CHRISTMAS PL AYLIST

Thanks to contributors: Natasha Au Vienna Choi Maria Mang Thomas Pulsford

Elmo Wong Kiran Esvaran

Semester 2 2025

www.aishk.edu.hk