“Muse Fest HK 2026” Collaborative Partner Programme

RE: Mei Ho House

Some places carry traces of the lives once lived there. Some stories are passed on by former residents, while some memories stay with us over the years.

From a resettlement block to a place that preserves and shares local history today, Mei Ho House tells not only the story of a building, but also how the community and everyday life have changed over time.

In line with the theme of Muse Fest HK 2026, join us this November for “RE: Mei Ho House” — a journey that continues through:

Revisit. Review. Rediscover.

Come back to familiar spaces, take a closer look at the traces of the past, and discover new connections between then and now. The story of Mei Ho House is also part of Hong Kong’s story — and there is still more to tell.

[Thematic Talk] A Taste of the Past: Hong Kong Food Culture and Estate Flavours

Flaky or shortcrust egg tarts? Behind these familiar flavours lies a story of Hong Kong’s unique blend of Chinese and Western culinary traditions. In public housing estates, food also became part of everyday life and collective memory—from cha chaan tengs and dai pai dongs to markets, teahouses, snack shops and hawkers.

This talk goes beyond simply talking about food. Following the traces left by familiar flavours, we will revisit the public housing estates of the past.

Dr. Siu Yan Ho, author of 《屋邨尋味記》 and 《尋味非遺》, will trace the development of Hong Kong’s post-war food culture through historical and literary texts, while revisiting the foods, places and stories that shaped the distinctive flavours and community life of Hong Kong’s public housing estates.

Date: 8 November 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Venue: Function Room, YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel
Speaker: Dr. Siu Yan Ho (Lecture 1 of Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Hong Kong Baptist University; author of《屋邨尋味記》and《尋味非遺》)
Quota: 50 participants (First-come, first-served)
Language: Cantonese
Fee: Free of charge (A HK$20 deposit is required per participant to secure a place. The deposit will be fully refunded to the original payment account within 6–8 weeks after the event. The actual processing time may vary depending on the bank. The deposit is non-refundable for no-shows.)
Registration: Please click here

[Workshop] Bring the Culture Home: Mini Flower Plaque Keychain

Colourful flower plaques are an iconic part of Hong Kong’s traditional festivals. From the Tin Hau Festival and Yu Lan Festival to Tai Ping Ching Jiu, these vibrant structures not only carry wishes of joy and good fortune, but also showcase the intricate craftsmanship of traditional bamboo and paper crafting, which was inscribed on Hong Kong’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory in 2014.

In this workshop, participants will discover the culture behind Hong Kong flower plaques and create their very own miniature version! From building the frame and adding colourful decorations to writing a personalised blessing, participants will craft a one-of-a-kind mini flower plaque keychain, transforming this eye-catching festive art form into a little blessing they can carry wherever they go. Bring a piece of Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage home with you!

Date: 8 November 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Venue: Function Room, YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel
Instructor: Ray @ Playcation
Age: 6 or above (Participants under 10 must be accompanied by one parent and share one set of materials.)
Quota: 15 participants (First-come, first-served)
Language: Cantonese
Fee: HK$230 per person
Registration: Please click here

[Community Tour] A Walk Through More than Half A Century: Public Housing Design in Shek Kip Mei

Old and new public housing blocks stand side by side in Shek Kip Mei, from Hong Kong’s first Mark I resettlement blocks built in the 1950s to non-standard blocks completed in the 2000s. Spanning more than half a century, these housing estates not only shape Shek Kip Mei’s distinctive urban landscape but also offer a three-dimensional record of the history of public housing architecture in Hong Kong.

Led by Dr. Rosman C. C. Wai, Adjunct Associate Professor at the Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, this guided tour takes participants through Shek Kip Mei Estate to examine the evolution and architectural features of different types of public housing, and explore the flatted factories estates since the 1950s to the present day, from the perspectives of architecture and community planning. Along the way, participants will also examine public spaces, recreational facilities and community amenities, and discover how estate planning in different periods responded to changing social conditions and residents’ needs. Through the buildings and spaces of Shek Kip Mei, the tour offers a fresh perspective on the development of Hong Kong’s public housing and the transformation of the local community over more than half a century.

Date: 8 November 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Meeting Point: Heritage of Mei Ho House
Guest Docent: Dr. Rosman C.C. Wai (Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Hong Kong’s Faculty of Architecture; author of “Design DNA OF Mark I–Hong Kong’s Public Housing Prototype” and《香港公屋設計變奏曲》)
Age: 15 or above
Quota: 15 participants (first-come, first-served)
Language: Cantonese
Fee: HK$100 per person
Registration: Please click here

[Thematic Talk] Hong Kong Stories Told by Ordinary People: Don’t Underestimate Hawkers

For a long time, discussions about the hawker industry by society and the government have often focused on order and hygiene management. Hawkers, seemingly scattered, have amassed considerable strength and played an indispensable role in Hong Kong’s economic development.

This lecture specially invited Dr. Zheng Wan Tai, Director of Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies (HKIAPS) at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and author of 《小販事大——香港小販業變遷》, to be the keynote speaker. He will guide participants through the history and transformation of hawker activities from the early colonial period to the 1990s, and explore the evolution of the relationship between hawkers and the government across different eras and socioeconomic contexts, starting with the resettlement areas of Shek Kip Mei and Sham Shui Po to discover the links between resettlement policies, migration, and community development. Furthermore, he will examine hawker movements in 1883, 1946, and the 1970s, leading participants to rediscover the lives of grassroots from the perspective of the ordinary people, gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the Hong Kong’s story.

Date: 22 November 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Venue: Function Room, YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel
Speaker: Dr Zheng Wan Tai, Victor (Associate Director of Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies (HKIAPS) at the Chinese University of Hong Kong; author of 《小販事大——香港小販業變遷》 and Rags to riches: Hong Kong families and society 1841–1941)
Quota: 50 participants (First-come, first-served)
Language: Cantonese
Fee: Free of charge (A HK$20 deposit is required per participant to secure a place. The deposit will be fully refunded to the original payment account within 6–8 weeks after the event. The actual processing time may vary depending on the bank. The deposit is non-refundable for no-shows.)
Registration: Please click here

Joy in Every Tile: Mosaic Craft and Community Exploration

Piece by piece, mosaic tiles have shaped more than walls and floors. They are part of Hong Kong’s everyday cityscape.

Once widely used in homes, public buildings and urban spaces across Hong Kong, these small, colourful tiles form distinctive patterns that reflect the city’s changing architectural styles. Today, they have become a familiar symbol of Hong Kong’s built heritage.

Led by a team with urban planner, architect and experienced tile craftsman, this programme combines hands-on making with community exploration. Participants will create their own mosaic-tiled wooden tray while discovering the beauty and craftsmanship behind this traditional technique. We will also explore the neighbourhood to spot mosaic tiles on local buildings, discover designs from different periods, and uncover the stories behind this everyday building material.

Date: 22 November 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Venue: Meeting Room, YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel
Instructor: Walking Slow
Age: 12 or above
Quota: 10 participants (First-come, first-served)
Language: Cantonese
Fee: HK$150 per person
Registration: Please click here

RE: Mei Ho House | Guided Tour & Special Souvenir

During “Muse Fest HK 2026”, join a public guided tour at the Heritage of Mei Ho House and discover stories of everyday life and the local community in days gone by. Follow the Heritage of Mei Ho House on Instagram during your visit to receive a limited-edition souvenir. Step into the neighbourhood’s living memories and take home a little piece of Mei Ho House!

Date: 31 October – 30 November 2026 (Closed on Mondays)
Time:
・Cantonese Tour: Tuesday to Sunday, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
・English Tour: Selected Sundays (1, 15 & 29 November), 11:00 am – 12:00 noon
・Putonghua Tour: Selected Sundays (8 & 22 November), 11:00 am – 12:00 noon
Venue: Heritage of Mei Ho House
Capacity: 15 participants per tour (first come, first served)
Fee: Free
Registration: No advance registration is required. Please register outside the museum’s main entrance 15 minutes before the tour begins.

About Muse Fest HK 2026

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will launch the “Muse Fest HK 2026” in November. Approaching its 12th year, the theme of this year’s Museum Festival will be “Hong Kong Story”, introducing Hong Kong’s transformation from a historic gateway into a world-renowned international metropolis.

“Muse Fest HK 2026” brings together LCSD museums, art spaces, cultural institutes and other collaborative partners, offering programmes to deliver a mega cultural event that highlights the integration of history, art and science, leading members of the public to explore Hong Kong’s rich and distinctive diversity. LCSD categorizes the programmes into five series, including the “Special Series” , “Fun Day Series”, “Collaboration Series”, “Exhibition and Film Show Series” and “Interactive Experience Series”.

Not-to-be-missed “Selected Museum Publications and Souvenirs Mega Sale”, books and souvenirs will be offered at a discount. Come and enrich your collection or choose thoughtful gifts for your family and friends!

“Muse Fest HK 2026” will continue the partnership with multiple collaborative partners, including those from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Museum Alliance. The participation of a variety of local art organizations showcases the rich diversity of Hong Kong museums; and the collaboration with museums from Guangdong and Macao strengthens the bonding with peers across the Greater Bay Area, generates synergy that amplifies promotional impact and strives to bring more diverse activities.

Important Notes:

1. Activities will be conducted in Cantonese.
2. Only for members of the “Mei Ho House Alumni Network”, free registration can be done online or on-site.
3. 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. Please click here for the walking route.
Take the MTR to Shek Kip Mei Station Exit A and walk along Woh Chai Street for 8 minutes to reach the hostel. Please click here for the walking route.

Programme Enquiries:

Telephone: 3728 3544
Email: [email protected]