Hong Kong Watch hosts Mid-Autumn community meet-up and festive potluck

To celebrate the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, Hong Kong Watch held a community meet-up and festive potluck on 23 September 2023. The event welcomed a panel discussion with comedian and actor Sylas Szabolcs and comedian Laura Quinn Goh. They discussed the relationship between British comedy and politics, and how understanding political satire could help BNOs in the UK engage in political and civic discussions.

The event saw a full house of around 40 participants, many of whom contributed to the community potluck with snacks, egg tarts, pineapple buns and mooncakes. Participants seized the chance to sample the delicious treats and socialise with one another. We were also joined by staff from Hackney Sunday Cafe who provided traditional Hong Kong toasts and freshly brewed Hong Kong style milk tea, whose nostalgic flavours attracted many compliments. 

The hour-long panel discussion, moderated by Sam Goodman, Hong Kong Watch’s Director of Policy and Advocacy, marked the highlight of the event. Clips from both Hong Kong and British comedy classics, such as From Beijing with Love, Johnny English Strikes Again, The Thick of It, and Yes, Prime Minister drew waves of laughter from the audience, and opened up a discussion on the longstanding British tradition of mocking those in power. Laura and Sylas also shared their experience of navigating British culture and how humour may be a tool to build relationships with British communities. During the Q&A, participants raised questions about taboos and red lines within British culture, and the role comedians play in British society.

This event was supported by the Greater London Authority (GLA) as part of Hong Kong Watch’s civic and political education programme, which aims to forge connections within the Hong Kong BNO community and explore the ways they can engage with civic and democratic processes in the UK. This is a strictly cross-party and impartial series.

We thank our panel speakers, partners, and volunteers for their contribution and support:

  • Hackney Sunday Cafe

  • Laura Quinn Goh, comedian

  • Sylas Szabolcs, comedian and actor

香港監察舉辦中秋社區聚會 享用月餅奶茶暢談英式政治諷刺

為慶祝即將到來的中秋節，香港監察上星期六（23日）舉辦了中秋社區聚會。活動邀請了棟篤笑藝人兼演員Sylas Szabolcs和棟篤笑藝人Laura Quinn Goh就英式幽默展開討論。他們探討了英式喜劇與英國政治的關係，以及理解政治諷刺能如何幫助BNO居英港人參與政治和公民討論。

活動吸引到約40人參加，其中多人攜帶零食、蛋撻、菠蘿包和月餅等小食與眾同享。參加者趁機品嚐美食，互相交流。Hackney Sunday Cafe的工作人員也為我們炮製了傳統港式奶醬多和即沖港式奶茶，懷舊的味道得到不少人讚賞。

由香港監察政策及倡議總監Sam Goodman主持的一小時討論環節是今次活動的重頭戲。討論期間播出了《國產凌凌漆》、《特務戇J：神級歸位》、《幕後危機》和《首相你想點》等香港和英國經典喜劇片段，引來觀眾陣陣笑聲，並帶出了嘲諷當權者這項悠久的英國傳統。Laura和Sylas也分享了他們探索英國文化的經驗，以及幽默如何能成為與英國社區建立關係的工具。問答環節則觸及英國文化中的禁忌和紅線，以及喜劇演員在英國社會中扮演的角色等問題。

是次活動由大倫敦政府支持，是香港監察公民及政治教育系列的一部分。計劃旨在讓香港BNO社群建立連繫，並探索在英國參與公民和民主進程的方式。這是完全跨黨派和中立的活動系列。

我們非常感謝討論嘉賓、合作夥伴和義工的參與和支持：

  • Hackney Sunday Cafe

  • Laura Quinn Goh（棟篤笑藝人）

  • Sylas Szabolcs（棟篤笑藝人及演員）

NewsEleanor Leeevent, Event, Diaspora