Graduation Hong Kong style

It's been a long day with two graduation ceremonies, a large official lunch, an official tea, 150 names to read in chinese and many many photos. I cannot download some of my photos from my camera so I settled for this I took as we left the hall.

At the lunch there was something approaching panic from the HK staff that there might be a demonstration in support of the Occupy Central democracy campaign which is largely student led. The UK contingent were less concerned about this as knowing HK students it was likely to be quiet and respectful. Anyway the first ceremony had lots of students with yellow ribbons on their gowns but no discernible action. It was likely to be the second group. Sure enough as we entered for the second ceremony you could see plenty of yellow ribbons but also a number of umbrellas. As each student approached the stage I read out their names and they crossed to shake hands with the vice chancellor. After a few such students one, clutching his umbrella, strode to the middle and unfurled his umbrella and shouted a slogan which received applause from the parents etc. he then continued to receive his certificate and move on. Three students unfurled umbrellas, the symbol of the protests, and the most spectacular was a female student who went to open up her umbrella and say the slogan only to knock her hat off in the process and finish mid sentence. It was all peaceful, respectful but shows the level of engagement of students. They gave me a yellow ribbon afterwards.

If you look at the middle of the blip there is a student holding a small yellow umbrella and a manic look on her face. She wore this umbrella on her mortar board creating quite a picture. I did take a few of this but cannot download tonight.

I got very tired afterward and rested in the evening so now it's time for bed.