FESTIVAL
At least a dozen Chinese festivals are cele- brated in Hong Kong, with five of them being public holidays. Most important is the Lunar New Year, followed by festivals involving gods and goddesses, dragon boats, pink buns and mooncakes. But most intriguing is Yue Lan, the Hungry Ghosts Festival, which is in August. For most of that month all the souls in the underworld are said to be allowed to return to earth for a holiday. Yue Lan is held on the 14th day of the seventh moon to make them feel welcome. Believers join in religious cere- monies and celebrations, with people lay- ing out food for family ghosts and burning imitation clothing and money as offerings. Special offerings are made for ghosts with- out families, so that they will not feel neglected and cause trouble.
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