Why is saying goodbye so difficult? How many departures have we experienced in the past year or two? Perhaps you too are contemplating a departure from this city. How do we reconcile with the sorrow of parting ways?

Scholars have labeled the emigration of Hong Kong people as "ambiguous loss" or "migratory grief". The pain of separation and loss is profound, felt not just by adults but by children too. Leaving means facing the uncertainties of starting anew, while staying means grappling with the sorrow of departure. Over 320,000 people have emigrated from Hong Kong in the past two years, equivalent to twice the population of Wanchai or the entirety of Tai Po, Yau Tsim Mong, or Tsuen Wan district. Yet, this loss has gone largely unrecognized by the community.

For this event, we have invited HumChuk and Sandy from the Unfolding team to share their insights on the topic of "Why is it Hard to Say Goodbye?". Since 2022, the team, comprised of artist HumChuk, counseling psychologist Helen, and creative writer Sandy, has been working on the Farewell Project, which employs expressive arts therapy to help individuals cope with the pain of separation. As part of this effort, the team has created a series of "goodbye/adaptation cards" that provide farewell ideas and listen to the stories of immigrants throughout the year.

During the event, HumChuk and Sandy will explore the theme of separation and its emotional impact. They will share the stories of separation that they have collected and guide participants in utilizing the "goodbye/adaptation cards" they have designed. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to engage in an expressive art project suggested by the cards. HumChuk will provide a unique response to participants' stories through his paintings.

Speakers: Unfolding - HumChuk, Sandy 

HumChuk is a multi-talented speaker who works as an illustrator, artist, and writer. He recently published "Lie Down and Don't Move When You're Tired" (2021) and "We Lost What We Had" (2022). He has a passion for collecting ordinary everyday objects and believes that every individual is interconnected in some way, even in the most mundane moments. 

Sandy is a writer, columnist, former editor-in-chief of Breakazine, and founder of Unfolding. She enjoys planning and executing innovative projects that help people discover their interdependent relationship with the universe.

**The webinar will be held in Cantonese.