An interview with Saron Room on Hong Kong heritage, traditional craftsmanship and the people who keep cultural stories alive.
“We should appreciate and value it while it's still around.” Some traditions quietly fade away, not because they have lost their beauty, but because fewer people remain to practise them, pass them on and tell their stories.
Cheongsam-making is one of them.
Recently, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Saron Room for their <Who's Here> series, where they introduce people and stories worth sharing. Our conversation explored my journey as a cheongsam tailor in Vancouver, my fascination with old Hong Kong culture and my desire to keep this traditional craft alive.
What made the interview particularly meaningful was the realisation that Saron Room and I were contributing to the same cause in different ways.
Different Roles, One Shared Purpose
One thing I particularly appreciated about Saron Room's interview was their intention to introduce Hong Kong heritage to a wider audience.
While I contribute by learning traditional techniques, making cheongsams and creating opportunities for people to experience the culture, Saron Room contributes by documenting these stories and sharing them with others.
We play different roles, but share the same purpose: to ensure that something meaningful from our cultural roots is not forgotten.
Perhaps this is what cultural preservation really looks like. It doesn't always require grand gestures. Sometimes, it begins with a craftsman continuing an old technique, a storyteller deciding that a story deserves to be told, or a group of people coming together to appreciate their heritage.
My sincere thanks to Saron Room for inviting me to share my journey and for doing their part in keeping these stories alive.
We may each have our own way of contributing, but perhaps that is precisely how a heritage survives — when more people care enough to play their part.
We should appreciate and value it while it's still around.
