Learn all about the National Day of the People's Republic of China
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| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in Hong Kong Series at CantoneseClass101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind holidays and observances in Hong Kong. I’m Eric, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 17. The National Day of the People's Republic of China, which is 國慶 in Cantonese. |
| The People's Republic of China, or 中華人民共和國 in Cantonese, was founded in October 1949. Since then, the National Day has fallen on October 1. |
| The National Day holiday is a very big event in mainland China, with celebrations lasting seven days; however, in Hong Kong, it is reminiscent of a tragedy. |
| Now, before we get into more detail, I've got a question for you- During the National Day, the malls and brand name stores in Hong Kong are more crowded than usual. Do you know why? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later, so keep listening! |
| National Day is considered a very important day in mainland China and creates a seven-day holiday season, which is also known as October 1st Golden Week, or 十一黃金週 in Cantonese. All kinds of celebration are held throughout the seven-day holiday. The most well-known event is watching the flag-raising and marching ceremony at Tiananmen Square or 天安門廣場. A lot of people also take this opportunity to return home to visit relatives or travel abroad. It causes serious traffic jams or 塞車 all around China, and also causes most train and plane tickets to be sold out across the country. |
| In Hong Kong, it is only a one-day holiday, but there is a significant celebration that takes place on this day too. That is the National Day fireworks display in Victoria Harbor, or 維港 in Cantonese. Every year, it attracts many spectators on both sides of the harbor. But in 2012, while a passenger ship carrying 127 people was heading to Central to watch the fireworks, it was hit by a catamaran and soon capsized. Thirty-nine people were killed and 101 people were injured in this incident, turning this day of celebration into one of mourning throughout Hong Kong. It’s one of the most serious accidents and the greatest number of victims lost at sea in Hong Kong history. |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question- |
| During the National Day, the malls and brand name stores in Hong Kong are more crowded than usual. Do you know why? |
| During the National Day Golden Week in October, a large number of mainland tourists come to Hong Kong for shopping, or in Cantonese 買嘢. |
| So although the National Day holiday is the only one day long in Hong Kong, it’s crowded everywhere throughout the week, especially in brand name stores and shopping malls, or 商場 in Cantonese because many tourists from mainland China visit Hong Kong during the week. |
| How was this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting? |
| Do you have a holiday like National Day in your country? |
| Leave us a comment at CantoneseClass101.com |
| We'll see you next time! |
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