物到氛圍，冰室能否被複製？」， 探討冰室的食物的歷史文化，當 冰室開於外地，由氛圍到營運 模式，會否「因地制宜」而變 得不再「香港」？倫敦 HOKO Café 將舉辦分享會討論香港冰室 和茶餐廳的人情味（Flavour of Human Warmth at Hong Kong Bing Sutt and Chachaanteng），保頓冰室則與香記咖 啡合作，客人以味蕾體驗港式食物的搭 配。
t 圖為 1867 年的「曼徹斯特烈士」事 件，當時英國政府在曼徹斯特處決三 名「愛獨」組織芬尼亞兄弟會 (Fenian Brotherhood)成員。
圖片來源： WIKIPEDIA
萬人趁墟
好香港中秋市集 帶旺英國曼城經濟
由英國港人團體Trafford Hongkongers CIC與商家Moliuliu's Store 聯合主辦的「好香港中秋市集」（ So Hong Kong Full Moon Market）於9月8日在英國曼徹斯特（曼城）Sale市中心的Stanley Square順利舉行，吸引萬人「趁墟」。這是「好香港市集」首次 「衝出Bury」，來到曼城舉行，藉著花好月圓的中秋佳節，與當 地人見面。場地贊助商表示當日商場人流增加 75% ，帶旺當地經 濟，非常歡迎香港人再次舉辦相關活動。
還有一種警報器是窗戶警報器，震動時會 響，叫 Eva Logik Modern Ultra-Thin Window Alarm，可貼於窗戶上，小偷打破窗戶時產生震 動，這樣警報就會自動被拉響。
高宇權說：「這兩種警報器，買好幾個在家 裡安裝，花費不多，但卻可以起到 100% 的保 護。」◇
讓你家看起來像是 有人在，是嚇阻盜 賊的簡單方。
—前盜賊
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由深水埗到Birmingham 捌哥·捌哥 英國
咖央多士 咖哩喇沙 暖身肉骨茶 仲有港式小炒及小食的馬來 西亞餐廳由香港深水埗到 Birmingham都一樣咁好食！ Bagus Bagus UK Authentic Malaysian restaurant now also providing Hong Kong style Chinese cuisine, tasty food as always.
蘇格蘭著名人類學家、解剖學家亞瑟‧基思教 授（Prof. Dr. Sir Arthur Keith, 1866 1955）對進化論 的道德觀所作的研究的結果是：「正如我們所見，從 前和現在的所謂自然進化過程都是殘酷、獸性、冷 酷和沒有憐憫的。」（as we have just seen, the ways of national evolution, both in the past and in the present, are cruel, brutal, ruthless, and without mercy.）836 達爾文在《人類的由來》（The Descent of Man） 一書中將進化論應用於人類的道德分析。 他認為人 類的道德行為與動物的利他行為沒有本質區別、人類 的道德良心也是進化而來的，並且不斷演化；道德的 演化是群體適應的結果。 837 然而，在人類社會當中，道德本質上是利他的。
A Stitch in Time: The Life and Legacy of Yan Ka-man, Master Cheongsam Tailor
By Joyce Joy
The critically acclaimed film “In the Mood for Love” (2000) captured the essence of Hong Kong in the 1960s, it also showcased the elegance of the cheongsam. This traditional Chinese dress, known for its form-fitting silhouette and high collar, was featured prominently in the film.
Among the iconic wardrobe pieces worn by actress Maggie Cheung, were those crafted by the renowned cheongsam master, Ka-man Yan.
At 88, Yan is set to retire this September, concluding a remarkable 75-year career that has seen him dress countless celebrities and preserve a vital piece of cultural heritage.
A Lifetime of Dedication
Nestled in the Bowring Commercial Centre, a nostalgic enclave in Hong Kong’s Jordan district, Yan’s workshop, “Shanghai Po Shing Cheongsam Fashion,” is a time capsule of traditional craftsmanship. The shop’s dim lighting and vintage tools evoke an era long past, where meticulous handwork and artistic skill were paramount.
Yan, with his silver hair and lively demeanor, continues to work six days a week, embodying the spirit of relentless dedication.
“The cheongsam embodies a noble elegance,” Yan says, emphasizing the intricate craftsmanship that goes into each piece. “Every stitch has to be perfect; it’s not just about sewing but creating art.”
The cheongsam, also known as the qipao, is a traditional Chinese dress
Yan work is recognized as part of Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage, a testament to its historical and cultural significance.
for women that features a high neck, fitted waist, and side slits. It is known for its ability to accentuate the wearer’s figure while exuding grace and sophistication.
With a thimble on a finger and a special thread line used to ensure neat stitches, Yan’s hands move with the precision of decades of practice, ensuring that every detail of the cheongsam is perfect.
From Apprentice to Master Yan’s journey began at 13 when he moved from Yangzhong City, Jiangsu Province, to Hong Kong with his uncle, a tailor. The cheongsam
industry then operated on a master-apprentice model, with skills passed down through careful observation and practice.
Yan started with menial tasks —mixing paste, fetching zippers— but gradually learned the delicate art of sewing under the watchful eye of his master.
“If you don’t learn properly, the master won’t let you touch the fabric,” Yan recalls.
Despite the challenges and the high cost of materials, he persevered, driven by the promise of a better life.
“Being an apprentice was tough, but I was determined. I used to think, ‘As long as I can learn this craft, I will have a future.’”
The apprenticeship was grueling, but it provided a steady income and, importantly for Yan, a chance to eat rice, a luxury compared to the porridge he was used to in his village, and a roof over his head.
The Golden Era of the Cheongsam
The 1960s marked the heyday of the cheongsam in Hong Kong, with wealthy families, particularly those from Shanghai, making the city their
A Cheongsam on display with Master Yan in the background;
home. Yan often visited these families to take measurements for custom orders, a service highly valued by those who preferred to be served and measured in the privacy of their homes.
The cheongsam’s close-fitting design, emphasizing the wearer’s curves, made it a sought-after garment for both socialites and nightclub hostesses.
“The rich ladies rarely went out; they’d call me to their homes for fittings,” Yan explains. “It was important to get every measurement just right, especially the waistline. The cheongsam was not just clothing; it was a statement.”
Maggie Cheung, in her role in “In the Mood for Love,” wore a variety of beautifully tailored cheongsams, many of which were Yan’s creations. “Seeing my work on screen, especially on someone like Maggie Cheung, was a proud moment. It showed that the cheongsam still had a place in modern storytelling,” Yan reflects.
However, the industry’s decline began after the 1967 riots in Hong Kong, organized by local CCP loyalists against the British administration. This period of civil unrest led to
an exodus of wealthy families and a corresponding drop in demand for custom-made cheongsams. Rising rents and the closure of silk and satin suppliers further eroded the market, yet Yan’s reputation for quality kept his business afloat.
Among his many creations, Yan fondly remembers a red wedding dress he made for his cousin’s daughter. The dress was so admired that several of her friends borrowed it for their weddings. Later, the cousin’s daughter used it before it was donated to the Hong Kong Museum of History.
Preserving a Dying Art
As the last remaining cheongsam tailor in Bowring Commercial Centre, Yan is acutely aware of his role as a custodian of this traditional craft. His work is recognized as part of Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage, a testament to its historical and cultural significance. With his retirement approaching, he reflects on the future of cheongsam making. He remains hopeful, particularly about younger generations embracing and updating the style. “As long as there is someone to continue, there is hope,” Yan says, advocating for modern interpretations of the cheongsam to keep the tradition alive. “The cheongsam has a timeless beauty. It’s important that we pass it on to the next generation.”
Yan’s commitment to teaching has been a significant part of his later years. Since 2013, he has collaborated with a tailoring professional center to impart his knowledge to students eager to learn this intricate craft.
His students, he notes, show a deep interest in cheongsam making, and he praises their determination and skill. “They have the passion, and that’s what matters. With the right tools and guidance, they can do great things.”
A Legacy of Elegance
Yan’s workshop is adorned with two portraits gifted by his students, one inscribed with “Renowned for his brilliant robes, the maker excels in embroidery, surpassing all others.”
These tributes reflect the high regard in which he is held by those he has taught and worked with over the years. His influence extends beyond the walls of his small shop, leaving an indelible mark on Hong Kong’s cultural landscape.
As Yan prepares to retire, he does so with the satisfaction of knowing he has contributed significantly to preserving and promoting the cheongsam. His legacy is not just in the garments he has crafted but in the skills and passion he has passed on to future generations.
In a world where fast fashion often overshadows traditional craftsmanship, Yan’s story is a poignant reminder of the beauty and value of craftsmanship.
In his quiet, unassuming way, Yan has stitched together more than just fabric; he has woven a narrative of dedication, resilience, and cultural pride.
As he steps back from the sewing table, the hope is that others will pick up the needle and thread, continuing the tradition he has so lovingly maintained.
Cheungsam master tailor Ka-man Yan displays photos of celebrities he has dressed in Hong Kong
Master Yan recalled his time in the trade in the past.
TIMES
If Only My Kids Went to Fei Tian…
Al Whitted, an Elon University graduate, embarked on the entire Appalachian Trail before channeling his passion into teaching environmental education and naturalist skills. After getting married, he taught in public schools and led a large outdoor camp, eventually founding his own adventure company, Walk Your Path Well Adventures, where he shared his deep love for the great outdoors. Together with his wife, he has raised two adventurous sons who share his zest for life.
Now settled in New York, Al is the Athletic Director and Summer Camp Director at Northern Academy. When he's not at school, you’ll likely find him in his backyard, happily gardening, planting fruit trees, and tending to his flock of nine chickens.
As a father, educator, camp director, and athletic director with over 30 years of experience working with youth, I am both surprised and disheartened by The New York Times’s recent portrayal of Fei Tian Academy of the Arts, Fei Tian College, and Shen Yun Performing Arts. The article, which employs language reminiscent of CCP propaganda, risks perpetuating harmful stereotypes and fueling ongoing persecution against Falun Gong practitioners who have already suffered greatly under the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) rule.
Throughout the piece, Fei Tian College (editor's note: a school where many Shen Yun artists study) is repeatedly referred to as a “compound”—a term that conjures up images of secrecy and cultism. What secrecy? Falun Gong practitioners meditate openly in parks around the world, and the teachings of Mr. Li Hongzhi are freely available online for anyone to read. This choice of language to describe the campus of a fully accredited American institution of higher education is not only misleading but also troubling in its alignment with the CCP’s long-standing strategy of demonizing Falun Gong. This kind of language designed to skew perceptions has been used in China to legitimize the CCP’s torture, imprisonment, and killing of
countless innocent men, women, and even children whose only “crime” is their commitment to the universal principles of Truth, Compassion, and Forbearance.
The New York Times article attempts to insinuate that Fei Tian’s restrictions on smartphone use are a means of controlling students and limiting their access to information. However, such policies are nothing out of the ordinary in schools. Even New York Governor Kathy Hochul is considering a ban on smartphones in public schools to help ensure that students can focus on their education. More and more school districts are implementing similar controls given the rapidly growing body of evidence that unrestricted smartphone use among adolescents is linked to a host of mental health challenges. For instance, studies show that between 2012 and 2017, rates of depression among teens increased by 63%, with smartphones and social media being significant contributing factors. A 2018 Pew Research Center survey also found that 59% of U.S. teens have experienced some form of cyberbullying, exacerbating mental health issues.
Even tech pioneers like Steve Jobs have recognized the dangers inherent in unrestricted access to digital devices and imposed strict limitations on
Al Whitted, the Athletic Director and Summer Camp Director at Northern Academy.
Yet we all know that achieving excellence in any field—be it athletics, arts, or academics— demands sacrifice and rigorous training.
their own children’s use of technology. As far as I’ve heard, Fei Tian students and Shen Yun performers do have smartphones, but with certain restrictions on social media and internet access. The truth is, it’s obvious to every teacher and parent that excessive screen time is associated with increased anxiety, disrupted sleep patterns, and diminished academic performance. Fei Tian’s approach to smartphone use is not only reasonable but commendable, reflecting a commitment to the well-being and success of its students. Maybe the six to eight hours that are saved each day by not being on smartphones or surfing the Internet can be used to practice an instrument, hone a skill, socialize with real friends, or simply give a growing body enough sleep. It seems strange that The Times’s article would take issue with the discipline and time commitment required of Shen Yun artists. Yet we all know that achieving excellence in any field—be it athletics, arts, or academics—demands sacrifice and rigorous training. Professional athletes like LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, or Olympic medalists will all attest to the intense discipline required to reach the pinnacle of their professions. Shen Yun artists perform in some of the most prestigious theaters
in the world, and so it goes without saying that they must meet exacting standards, and they understand that. Anyone who has experienced a Shen Yun performance can tell you that the level of artistry really does reflect an extraordinary level of dedication that has propelled them to global acclaim. The Times even takes issue with the movies that Fei Tian students watch, as if discretion and good taste are outdated concepts. Every private school has the right to protect its younger students from the confused sexuality, substance abuse, profanity, and violence that are common in many films and other media today. Instead, Fei Tian seeks to honor more classical and traditional films that reflect the integrity and character the institution seeks to cultivate. Why is it so surprising that some institutions still value discretion in their choices?
Moreover, the assertion that Fei Tian students are exploited is unfounded. It’s not easy to get into Fei Tian— students must go through a rigorous audition process that can take years to prepare for. Getting in is cause for great celebration for both the parents and the kids. I know this because the dream of many of the students who attend Northern Academy, a private boarding school where I work, is to get into Fei Tian. Those who are lucky enough to get accepted can receive a world-class private boarding school education and then possibly go on to a quality four-year private college education, basically at no cost. This is because Fei Tian offers full-tuition scholarships as well as room and board to qualified students. Given how much a decent education can cost these days, it’s an opportunity any parent would jump on. Just as a comparison, the tuition and room and board at Northern Academy where I work is about $38,000 a year, which is on the low end of private prep schools in the U.S.—it’s not cheap to educate and manage and keep kids occupied these days. But the parents are willing to pay because they find some schools are unable or unwilling to protect their kids from drugs, vaping, and other behaviors that could destroy their futures.
At Fei Tian, the students receive a world-class education at no cost. At the same time, they are given the opportunity to participate in a practicum that allows them to hone their artistic and professional skills on a global stage. It’s very common
Maybe the six to eight hours that are saved each day by not being on smartphones or surfing the Internet can be used to practice an instrument, hone a skill, socialize with real friends, or simply give a growing body enough sleep.
for ballet dancers as young as 14 or 15 to take internships, whether paid or unpaid, with professional ballet companies while they’re still in school because the career lifespan of a dancer is relatively short, and they must take every opportunity they are given while still in their prime. While in school, most students are not paid the same rate as adults, but they are usually given school or experiential credit. Some of the interviewees seemed to think they were entitled to both free college tuition and a full salary at the same time, but not even U.S. college athletes can expect that kind of treatment.
Instead of falling prey to the myriad distractions and dangers that plague today’s youth—whether through social media, video games, or substance abuse—they would have been immersed in a disciplined environment that fosters both personal growth and artistic mastery. They would have learned the value of hard work, dedication, and focus, all while receiving a top-tier education and the chance to broaden their horizons as they tour around the world. Instead, they took a more mundane route and will now have to navigate the difficulties of student loans and finding gainful employment on their own.
Fei Tian College at Middletown, New York
Aspiring dancers and musicians often do internships or practicums to try out for full-time positions that are not usually very easy to come by. Upon graduation from Fei Tian College, if they have what it takes, the students can either go on to graduate school or seek full-time employment with Shen Yun where they are given a competitive salary and the chance to continue perfecting their craft while traveling the world. This is hardly exploitation; it’s an unparalleled opportunity for aspiring artists. To put it in perspective, isn’t it true that most aspiring dancers and musicians in the world can struggle an entire lifetime and never get a chance to play at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center or any of the top theaters in Europe? It’s a rarified world. Those students who choose to move on after high school or college, for whatever reason, are in a good position—alumni of Fei Tian have been known to go on to Ivy League universities or graduate schools in the fields of their choice. It turns out the discipline and focus developed while training to become a world-class classical musician or dancer are transferable to other fields as well. If my own sons had had the chance to attend Fei Tian, I would have considered it a tremendous blessing.
It is disappointing that The Times chose to focus on the negative experiences of a few former participants rather than offering a balanced perspective. The article’s use of insinuation and its emphasis on restrictive practices align too closely with the CCP’s propaganda, which has led to the persecution of millions of Falun Gong practitioners in China. This is not journalism; it is a disservice to readers and a dangerous alignment with a regime notorious for its human rights abuses. Imagine doing a hit piece on Uyghurs knowing full well that thousands of them are still being held in concentration camps in China. In the same way, how could anyone in good conscience do a piece attempting to discredit Falun Gong practitioners when we know many are still incarcerated, oppressed, and even face the threat of organ harvesting in China? At the very least, this Times article is in poor taste.
In truth, Shen Yun and its affiliated institutions represent a triumph of the human spirit. In the face of unspeakable persecution, Falun Gong practitioners have responded not with violence, but with creativity and resilience. They founded an elite performing arts company that not only showcases the beauty of traditional Chinese culture but also highlights the ongoing struggle for human rights. This is a story that should be celebrated, not maligned.
Sincerely,
Alvis Whitted III Camp and Athletic Director, Northern Academy of the Arts
This article originally appearead on the Shen Yun Community website.
