At the launch of the Ethnic Minority Elderly Life Stories, held at Link Sustainability Lab, more than a dozen seniors representing diverse ethnic backgrounds were engaged in arranging craft materials – baby’s breath, fern leaves, dried flowers, and fabrics and threads in various colours. These seniors, who usually bustle about caring for their families, became completely absorbed in their creative work. Their creations were not merely crafts, but fragments of memories, pieces that represented the life stories and emotions that they may never have shared aloud.

Cultivating a diverse garden where art takes root

Each participant received an art materials pack at the entrance to the venue. Under the facilitator’s guidance, participants were encouraged to create a plant representing their current life state or origins. The seniors immediately immersed themselves in creation. The venue fell silent, transforming into a tranquil, nurturing ground for creativity. When the participants were asked to raise their “flowers of life”, the entire space instantly bloomed with vibrant, vivid living creations.

The event marked the culmination of “The Art of Life Journey”, an expressive arts project that Link Together Initiatives sponsored and the Hong Kong Expressive Arts Therapy Service Center (HKEXAT) organised for two consecutive years to promote active ageing among elderly people from different ethnic backgrounds. Following two years of solid community arts practice, HKEXAT published the book Ethnic Minority Elderly Life Stories. The launch event celebrated both the debut of the stories and the successful integration of expressive arts therapy and multicultural life narratives.

Listening to the life stories of ethnic minority elders

Geeta, the protagonist of one of the life stories, offered her reflections at the event. In the book, she mentions: “There are arduous uphill climbs and restful downhill stretches, as well as open plains where people can pause and converse. Wherever I go, I know I will persevere through my own strength.” This articulation of resilience is a spirit shared by numerous stories in the book.

Geeta was frequently seen with a radiant, sunshine-like smile during the event: “I love Hong Kong! I’ve made many friends here.” Speaking enthusiastically about the workshops HKEXAT organised, she shares, “The activities were very engaging and helped us develop diverse talents. The therapists also provided tremendous encouragement.”

Community ecology transformed through “being seen”

Looking back upon the past two years, Janet Li, HKEXAT founder and registered arts therapist, reflects with emotion: “The first year marked a brave attempt,” she admits. “How could we gain the trust of ethnic minority elders who had never participated in these activities before? How could we use art to achieve cross-cultural communication? Every step was an exploration.” By the second year, the programme gradually flourished. “We developed a deeper rapport with partner organisations and better engaged elders from different ethnicities, leading them to express themselves through art and interact genuinely. We inched much further from the foundation laid last year.”

Janet highlights the pivotal role of Link Together Initiatives’ sponsorship: “Without this support, the scheme would have been difficult to implement. What Link provided went beyond funding; it was a powerful vote of confidence in our exploration of new service models.” Consequently, the project also achieved a more profound ripple effect. “Because of this programme, community partners who had never focused on ethnic minority elders began paying more attention to this population. The sponsorship has not only changed organisational services but has quietly reshaped the ecology of community care,” said Janet.

Weaving life’s warp and weft in colour

With Link’s continued support over two years, the programme has attracted more than 600 elderly participants and held more than 50 expressive arts therapy groups and workshops. It has enabled elders from various ethnicities to tell their life stories through artistic creation, to take form in colour and shape, truly achieving cross-cultural integration.

Although the launch has concluded, the life stories continue to be unfold and shared. The “The Art of Life Journey” community scheme is currently hosting a “Life Journey Art Exhibition” at Lok Fu Place, showcasing more artworks created by participants. Copies of the Ethnic Minority Elderly Life Stories are also available in the exhibition corner and the Fairly Goods concept store in the Link Sustainability Lab for the public to pause, read and appreciate.

When society is willing to listen, even once-overlooked and seemingly ordinary stories can blossom with moving power.