In a powerful showcase of youth empathy and local storytelling, the Chinese Drama Team and Interact Club of Bishop Hall Jubilee School joined hands with The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Jockey Club Farm Road Youth S.P.O.T. to stage the public premiere of their original community drama, "A Love Song of To Kwa Wan", on the evening of October 9th.

【Giving Voice to the Thirteen Streets: Transforming Community Memories into Living Theatre】

Rather than confining theatrical training to campus halls, our students took their passion directly into the community. The team embarked on a grassroots oral history journey, sitting down with senior residents at Farm Road Youth S.P.O.T. in late August to listen to their lived experiences. The resulting play breathes life into the golden eras of To Kwa Wan—the roar of Kai Tak airplanes grazing over rooftop laundry lines, the hardworking days of the Ma Tau Kok cattle depot and garment mills, and the steadfast camaraderie among vehicle repairers along the iconic "Thirteen Streets". Crucially, the script confronts the bittersweet dilemmas brought about by urban redevelopment, capturing both the longing for better living conditions and the heartache of parting with lifelong neighbors.

As the fourth installment of the school's project—following earlier community chapters in Kowloon City, Tai Po, and Sham Shui Po—this production demonstrated the unique power of youth theatre in preserving collective civic heritage. The heartfelt performances struck an immediate chord with the elderly audience, prompting spontaneous nods of recognition, laughter, and misty eyes throughout the hall.

【Generations United: A Celebrated Gathering with District Leaders and Alumni】

The premiere was graced by distinguished guests who came to celebrate this meaningful cross-generational milestone. We were deeply honored by the attendance of Mr. Cheung Yin Kiu, Acting District Officer (Kowloon City), who joined local elders in the front row to cheer on our youth. Principal Law King Yuk Vicky and Ms. Chan Yuk Mui, Unit In-charge of Farm Road Youth S.P.O.T., delivered encouraging speeches, commending the students for translating historical empathy into social action. Respected alumni Dr. Edward Sitt and Dr. Ma also returned to show enthusiastic support for their alma mater. Following the curtain call, playwright Mr. Woo Hiu bun and director Coach Ho King yin shared their creative journey, movingly affirming that "the true owners of this play are the elders of To Kwa Wan." The event concluded in high spirits with a vibrant whole-house photo as everyone shouted "To Kwa Wan" in unison.

【Media Dialogue: Long-term Column Series with HKEJ Education】

The profound educational philosophy and community impact of our theatre initiative have garnered sustained public recognition. The project has been invited by the Hong Kong Economic Journal (HKEJ Education) to host a dedicated educational column series, regularly sharing our pedagogical reflections and stories of youth walking into local communities with the public. We invite you to read the featured column piece, "From Local Oral History to the Belt and Road: A Community Theatre Lesson Beyond the Classroom" (Article link: https://edu.hkej.com/php/article.detail.php?aid=64643 ), which examines the vision behind our experiential learning. Reflections and behind-the-scenes stories from "A Love Song of To Kwa Wan" will also be featured in upcoming column articles.

【Heartfelt Appreciation】

Our sincere thanks go to the Home Affairs Department Kowloon City District Office for their invaluable encouragement, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Jockey Club Farm Road Youth S.P.O.T. for their warm venue partnership and wholehearted liaison, Hong Kong Lutheran Social Service for their dedicated support in coordinating local elderly residents to attend the performance, and our passionate alumni for their ongoing mentorship. Most of all, we offer our deepest gratitude to the elderly residents of To Kwa Wan: your generosity in sharing your life stories ensures that the enduring warmth of our neighborhood will be proudly carried forward by the next generation.