HERITAGE OF MEI HO HOUSE “INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY 2025” PROGRAMMES:
THE FUTURE OF MUSEUMS IN RAPIDLY CHANGING COMMUNITIES

Every year, on 18 May, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) organises International Museum Day (IMD), a global event highlighting the transformative role of museums in society. In 2025, IMD will explore “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities”, focusing on how museums can navigate and contribute to a world undergoing profound social, technological, and environmental shifts.

In response, the Heritage of Mei Ho House will engage the public through exhibitions, guided tours, and various activities, reflecting on community changes and exploring how revitalised heritage buildings bridge the past and future while preserving community memory and cultural imagination.

Date: 18 May 2025 (Sunday)
Time: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Venue: YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel

[Thematic Talk] What Makes Sham Shui Po Cultural: Decoding Urban Culture and Conservation

What comes to mind when you hear the word “culture”? Is it high art, or everyday life? In fact, culture is all around us. It encompasses entertainment, religion, commerce, and ways of living, shaping the unique character of each city. So, what defines the culture of Sham Shui Po? Is it the tech-savvy spirit of the Golden Computer Arcade, the creative vibe of Tai Nan Street, or the resettlement history and collective memories preserved in Mei Ho House?

In this talk, we are honored to have Mr. Yu Kwok Lit, a senior arts administrator and former Executive Director of Performing Arts at the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, join us to explore the meaning of urban culture. Together, we will delve into the distinctive cultural landscape of Sham Shui Po and consider how communities can preserve their heritage and memories amid rapid urban transformation.

Date: 18 May 2025 (Sunday)
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Venue: Function Room, YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel
Speaker: Mr. Yu Kwok Lit (Senior arts administrator; Author of “What Makes a City Cultural” and《文化城市之路》)
Quota: 50 participants (First-come, first-served basis; limited seats available)
Fee: Free of charge
Language: Cantonese
Enrollment: Please click here

“Sticking” Closer to Sham Shui Po: Community Exploration × Masking Tape Collage Workshop

Sham Shui Po is a vibrant community where the old and new intertwine, full of stories waiting to be discovered. Many historical buildings still stand today—such as Mei Ho House, which bears witness to the development of public housing, and the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre (JCCAC), a revitalized former factory building in Shek Kip Mei. These spaces not only reflect the traces of everyday life from the past but also shape a unique cultural landscape. However, as urban redevelopment continues, iconic buildings like Tai Hang Sai Estate—Hong Kong’s last private low-cost housing estate—are soon to be replaced. Have you ever thought of documenting these disappearing scenes through art?

In this workshop, Terrence Chan, founder of Hong Kong Masking Tape (HKMT), will guide participants through the streets of Sham Shui Po to observe the evolving urban landscape. Drawing inspiration from everyday surroundings, you’ll create your own collage artwork using masking tape, capturing and preserving your personal impressions of the community.

Date: 18 May 2025 (Sunday)
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Meeting point: Shek Kip Mei MTR Station, Exit A Concourse
Instructor: Terrence Chan @Hong Kong Masking Tape (HKMT)
Target Audience: Ages 8 and above (participants under 12 must be accompanied by a parent)
Quota: 10 participants (First-come, first-served basis; limited seats available)
Fee: $250 (includes all materials and tools)
Note: The activity includes a community exploration segment with approximately 40 minutes of walking. Please assess your physical condition before registering to ensure the activity is suitable for you.
Enrollment: Please click here

[Thematic Talk × “CITY IN TIME” App Tour]
Traveling Through Time: Rediscover the Past Through Technology, Art, and History

How can technology relive the city’s past? And how can art and history come together in virtual form?

As the city’s landscape continues to change, old buildings and the memories of their surrounding communities are gradually disappearing. To preserve these precious historical scenes, City University of Hong Kong, commissioned by the Tourism Commission, has developed “CITY IN TIME”—a cutting-edge cultural tourism initiative that uses Augmented Reality (AR) technology to bring the city’s past to life. Through its mobile app, citizens and tourists can scan “AR clocks” installed at designated locations to experience 360-degree panoramas and animated elements of historical Hong Kong. The app also includes immersive sound effects and historical narratives for each location, allowing users to delve into the stories of the past and immerse themselves in a rich audiovisual experience, like stepping into a time machine.

This talk features two project managers from the Centre for Applied Computing and Interactive Media at the School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong: Mr. Alan Leung and Ms. Tsz Lam Yip. They will share the creative vision and technical process behind “CITY IN TIME”, showcasing how AR technology, original illustrations by local artists, and historical research were combined to reveal the stories and landscapes of old Hong Kong, allowing history to be reimagined through technology.

After the talk, the speakers will lead a guided tour around Mei Ho House and the Former North Kowloon Magistracy. Participants will experience the app on-site, traveling between past and present to rediscover the historical stories of Sham Shui Po.

Date: 18 May 2025 (Sunday)
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Venue: Function Room, YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel and Sham Shui Po Community
Speaker: Mr. Leung Wai Lun, Alan and Ms. Yip Tsz Lam (Project Managers, Centre for Applied Computing and Interactive Media, School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong)
Quota: 50 participants (First-come, first-served basis; limited seats available)
Fee: Free of charge
Language: Cantonese
Enrollment: Please click here

Retro Photo Challenge

In a rapidly changing society, the Heritage of Mei Ho House plays an important role in preserving the history of resettlement blocks and recreating the community life of the past through its exhibitions.

In line with this year’s International Museum Day theme, we have specially prepared a fun challenge to test your knowledge of old-time living! Follow the clues to find designated objects around the museum and snap a photo of each one. After completing all tasks, show your photos to our staff to receive an exclusive limited-edition folding fan!

Tip: Don’t forget, the final task is to follow our Instagram page to complete the challenge!

Date: 18 May 2025 (Sunday)
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Heritage of Mei Ho House
Fee: Free of charge
Enrollment: Walk-in participation

Public Guided Tour: Explore Mei Ho House

May is the annual International Museum Day, and to encourage more people to join in, the Heritage of Mei Ho House invites you to participate in our guided tour! You will have the chance to learn more about the community’s historical changes and explore how heritage buildings continue to play an important role today.

This month, all participants of the guided tour who follow our Instagram @heritagemhh will receive a commemorative film-style card* as a special memento of this experience!

Public Guided Tour Details:
Cantonese Tour: Tuesday to Sunday, and public holidays, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Mandarin Tour: Sundays (May 4 and 18), 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
English Tour: Sundays (May 11 and 25), 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Heritage of Mei Ho House
Quota: 15 people per tour (first come, first served, while spots last)
Fee: Free of charge
Enrollment: No prior reservation required. Please register 15 minutes before the tour starts at the main entrance of the museum.
Notes: Limited quantity of gifts available, while stocks last.

Important Notes:

• Activities will be conducted in Cantonese.
• Only for members of “Mei Ho House Alumni Network”, please click here for free registration.
• YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel reserves the right to alter, amend or withdraw the programmes in case of weather or special circumstances.

How to get to Mei Ho House?
MTR
Take the MTR to Sham Shui Po Station Exit B2, and walk along Pei Ho Street for 8 minutes to reach the hostel.
Take the MTR to Shek Kip Mei Station Exit A, and walk along Woh Chai Street for 8 minutes to reach the hostel.

Programme Enquiries:
Telephone: 3728 3544
Email: [email protected]