What comes up to your mind when it comes to Chongking Mansion? What are the keywords?
I think I have already demonstrated the common reaction of people of my parents’ generation in my previous blog. What about people of my age? Are they as thrilled as I am?
When I mention Chongking Mansion, the reactions from my peers are often ones of piqued interest and curiosity. “Where have you been this weekend?” they’ll ask, eyes widening. “How was it like? Were you stared at? Did you speak Cantonese or English there?” The questions come rapid-fire, accompanied by an unmistakable sense of intrigue. Many even express a desire to join me on a visit, eager to experience this mysterious building for themselves.
As a member of the millennial generation in Hong Kong, I share this fascination with Chongking Mansion. As I stumbled upon the inside of the “bear cave” for the very first time in my life, I’ll admit to feeling a jolt of adrenaline. The initial greeting of a few curious stares at the entrance did little to deter my excitement. In a city as judgmental as Hong Kong can be, I’ve grown accustomed to the occasional sidelong glance, I shall gladly take that as a “Hong Kong style welcome”, although not from your usual Chinese uncles and aunties.
What I found inside, however, was far from intimidating. The space radiated an energetic, welcoming, lively vibe – bright, neat, and catering to every conceivable need. It was a veritable cultural kaleidoscope, with diverse stores and food stalls that transported me directly to the heart of Southeast Asia, to get to know better the people who belongs to the same city as I do. The scents of exotic spices mingled with the easy camaraderie of the stallholders, who exuded a palpable pride in their wares and a willingness to share their heritage.
In that moment, I realized that Chongking Mansion is not merely a building, but a sanctuary – for the communities that call it home, and perhaps for all Hongkongers who seek to immerse themselves in the city’s vibrant diversity. As I left the building and headed home, a thought struck me: Hong Kong, with its long history as an international hub, has the potential to become a true showcase for the myriad cultures that converge within its borders.
My peers, many of whom have had the privilege of traveling the world, are well-positioned to appreciate the value of this diversity. We have had the opportunity to witness firsthand the richness that comes from embracing different traditions and perspectives if we seek. Now, we must turn our gaze inward, to the hidden gems like Chongking Mansion that are right under our noses. By celebrating the unique facets of our city, we can transform Hong Kong into a place where all cultures are free to shine and share their distinct identities.
[To be continued…]
重慶大廈 貳 - 遺忘的寶藏
前文講及上一代對於重慶大廈一般的反應，年輕一代的反應卻截然不同。
當提到重慶大廈時，年輕人的反應通常都是興趣和好奇。他們會問你：「你這個週末去哪了?」「那裡是什麼感覺？」「你有被盯著看嗎？」「你是說廣東話還是英語？」這些問題層出不窮，充滿了強烈的一探究竟之心，但又不想當先鋒，跳出舒適圈的感覺。許多人甚至表示想和你一起去參觀，迫不及待地想親身體驗這座神秘的大廈。
作為香港千禧一代的一員，我也對重慶大廈有著同樣的痴迷。當我第一次踏入這所謂「熊穴」內部時，我感受到了一股強烈的刺激感。在入口處收到一些好奇的目光並未減弱我的興奮感。在一個如此善於評判他人的城市裡，我已經習慣了偶爾遭受側目的目光。或許不是熟悉的華人叔叔姨姨的凝視，但依然是熟悉的「港式目光歡迎禮」。
我在裡面完全感覺不到緊張，甚至恐懼，或許起初有些微格格不入，但很快就被氣氛感染。整個空間都洋溢著活力、友好和熱鬧的氛圍——明亮、整潔，保羅萬有。這裡就像文化萬花筒，擁有各式各樣的店鋪和美食攤位，讓人感覺置身於東南亞的心臟地帶，好好地了解同在這個城市生活的人的想法油然而生，畢竟我們共享一條「根」。在大廈裏，異國香料的芳香、攤販自豪的態度及樂於分享自己的文化的色彩全融為一體，給人一種親切的感覺。
在那一刻，我意識到重慶大廈不僅僅是一棟建築，更是一處聖所——為那些稱它為家的社群，也或許是所有尋求身陷香港多元文化身分的香港人，甚或為所有人朝聖一睹香港歷史的神秘面紗背後。當我離開回到家中時，一個想法突然閃現：香港多年來作為國際樞紐，絕對有潛力成為一個以匯聚眾多文化的城市為傲的城市。
我的同儕中，很多人都有幸遊歷過世界各地，因而更能欣賞和重視多元文化的價值。我們親眼見證了在擁抱接納不同的傳統和觀點時所獲得思想的豐盛。現在，我們必須將視線轉向自己深愛著的城市，去發掘那些就在我們眼皮底下的隱藏寶藏，比如重慶大廈。通過展示我們城市的獨特面貌，我們能將香港打造成一個讓所有文化自由綻放、展現其獨特特質的地方。
(待續。。。)
