HERITAGE OF MEI HO HOUSE "INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY 2026" PROGRAMMES:
MUSEUMS UNITING A DIVIDED WORLD
On 18 May 2026, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) celebrates International Museum Day under the theme “Museums Uniting a Divided World”. The theme highlights the role of museums in fostering dialogue, embracing diverse perspectives, and supporting communities in navigating complex issues. Through preserving heritage and providing inclusive spaces for learning and reflection, museums contribute to social cohesion, sustainability, and cultural understanding.
The year also marks the 80th anniversary of ICOM, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the global museum community and advancing the social role of museums.
Echoing this year’s theme, the Heritage of Mei Ho House will present public programmes that bring together diverse voices, reflect on community transformations, and explore shared cultural memories.
Date: 17 May 2026 (Sunday)
Venue: YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel
[Thematic Talk] Home Away from Home: Cultural Connections and Inclusion of South Asian Communities in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is not only where East meets West, but a city shaped by diverse communities. Over time, many people from South Asia—including India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—have settled in Hong Kong, leaving a lasting imprint on neighbourhoods such as Sham Shui Po. Through their languages, religious practices, lifestyles, and food cultures, they have woven a rich cultural network and contributed significantly to sectors such as healthcare and the economy. Yet public understanding of these communities often remains superficial.
This thematic talk features Prof. Siumi Maria Tam, Adjunct Associate Professor of Anthropology at The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Director of the Multiculturalism in Action (MIA) Project. She will guide participants through the history and cultures of South Asian communities in Hong Kong, highlighting their contributions and challenges, and exploring pathways towards greater cultural inclusion and mutual understanding.
Date: 17 May 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Venue: Function Room, YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel
Speaker: Prof. Siumi Maria Tam (Adjunct Associate Professor of Anthropology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Director of the Multiculturalism in Action (MIA) Project)
Quota: 50 participants (First-come, first-served)
Language: Cantonese
Fee: Free of charge
Enrollment: Please click here
Patterns of Journey: Henna Pyrography Luggage Tag Workshop
A journey can begin with a luggage tag.
Henna is a traditional art form from India, Pakistan, and Nepal, often used in celebrations such as weddings, Diwali, and Eid. Natural dye made from henna leaves is used to create intricate patterns on the skin, lasting one to three weeks. Beyond body art, it symbolises blessing, joy, luck, and beauty.
In this workshop, this ephemeral art is transformed into a lasting cultural keepsake. Guided by South Asian instructors from Cultural Playground, participants will learn about henna’s cultural meanings and use pyrography techniques to burn symbolic patterns and text onto soft wood luggage tags. Your luggage tag becomes more than an identifier, but the start of a cultural journey, carrying stories across places as you travel.
Date: 17 May 2025 (Sunday)
Time: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Venue: Function Room, YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel
Instructor: South Asian instructor @ Cultural Playground
Target Audience: Aged 15 or above (For safety reasons, this activity has an age requirement, as participants will be using a heated branding iron to stamp luggage tags.)
Quota: 12 participants (first-come, first-served)
Language: Cantonese
Fee: HK$180 (all materials and tools included)
Enrollment: Please click here
Public Guided Tour
In May, as part of International Museum Day, the Heritage of Mei Ho House invites the public to join our guided tours. Step inside one of Hong Kong’s earliest resettlement blocks and explore its spaces and stories. Discover how the neighbourhood has evolved, and reflect on how this revitalised historic building continues to connect memories and experiences across generations.
This month, participants who join a guided tour and follow Instagram @heritagemhh will receive a new transparent card*, a keepsake of your Mei Ho House experience.
Tour Schedule:
Cantonese Tour: Tue–Sun & public holidays | 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
English Tour: Sundays (3, 17, 31 May) | 11:00 am–12:00 pm
Putonghua Tour: Sundays (10, 24 May) | 11:00 am–12:00 pm
Venue: Heritage of Mei Ho House
Quota: 15 participants (First-come, first-served)
Fee: Free
Enrollment: No advance booking required; please register at the museum’s main entrance 15 minutes before the tour starts.
Remarks: 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]