“The Glorious and Momentous Days – Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China” thematic book exhibition to lead patrons to explore Chinese history and culture
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To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the thematic book exhibition “The Glorious and Momentous Days – Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China” will be held at various public libraries and the Hong Kong Museum of History (HKHM) from today (September 27). The thematic book exhibition is presented by the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) to tie in with the “Glorious Voyage: Splendid Achievements of the People’s Republic of China in Its 75 Years” exhibition series at the HKMH to enable patrons to revisit the remarkable achievements of China over the past 75 years. In addition, the HKPL will organise a number of talks and workshops related to Chinese culture and the history of the War of Resistance, enhancing the public’s understanding of the country’s history and the Chinese culture.
“The Glorious and Momentous Days – Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China” thematic book exhibition will be held from today at the Hong Kong Central Library, City Hall Public Library, Kowloon Public Library, Sha Tin Public Library, Tsuen Wan Public Library, Tuen Mun Public Library, Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Public Library, and the HKHM. The exhibition will feature 75 books, covering topics related to Chinese history, development, national achievements and prospects, for both adults and children.
The HKPL and the Chinese Culture Promotion Office will co-organise a lecture titled “From China’s Path of Modernisation to the Shared Destiny for Mankind – China’s 75-Year Exploration” on October 26 (Saturday) at 2.30pm at the Lecture Theatre of the Hong Kong Central Library. The lecture will be delivered by Dr Yau Yat, Executive Director of The Academy of Chinese Studies, who will review the achievements and progress in agriculture, industry, national defence, and technology over the past 75 years since the founding of the country.
The Chinese culture is broad and profound, and the Lingnan culture is one of the important components. A series of exhibitions and activities on the Lingnan culture will be held at the public libraries in various districts to enhance the understanding of the public of Lingnan’s cultural characteristics from various perspectives. The Sha Tin, Ma On Shan and Yuen Chau Kok Public Libraries will hold exhibitions and talks, titled “Broadway of Lingnan” from October to November, introducing the culture of Cantonese opera. The public libraries in Tuen Mun District will also organise a series of activities with the theme of Lingnan culture in November and December, including traditional craft workshops, handicraft stalls, subject talks, storytelling sessions, and thematic book displays, allowing participants to learn more about Lingnan culture and experience the fun of making handicraft items.
The City Hall Public Library will host subject talks on Chinese classics under the topic of “Exploring Lingnan Culture” every Sunday from October to December. Thirteen speakers will take turns to explore with audiences the Lingnan culture from the perspective of history, literature, paintings and calligraphy, music, medicine, architecture, dialects and more. The Aberdeen, Ap Lei Chau, Pok Fu Lam, and Stanley Public Libraries will present subject talks and workshops on “Appreciating Chinese Tea Culture” in October, for participants to learn more about the lifestyle and tea culture of Lingnan. The Aberdeen Public Library will also hold an exhibition in November introducing the food culture of Chaozhou people in Hong Kong.
In addition to Lingnan culture, the HKPL and the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence will co-organise the “War of Resistance in Hong Kong” roving exhibition from September to February next year at the North Kwai Chung, Ma On Shan, Shui Wo Street, Chai Wan, Aberdeen, and Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Public Libraries. The exhibition will introduce the heroic deeds of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Independent Brigade of the East River Column in resisting the Japanese invasion. Military model-making and colouring workshops will also be organised at the Tai Po, Kowloon, Sheung Shui, and Sai Kung Public Libraries from October to January next year. Book displays on the theme of the War of Resistance will be set up at the libraries to deepen the patrons’ understanding of the history of this struggle.
Furthermore, the Fanling Public Library will organise a thematic talk on the “History of the North District” on October 20 (Sunday), discussing the founding and contribution of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Independent Brigade of the East River Column, and introducing related historic sites and memorial facilities of the War of Resistance in Sha Tau Kok. The Sheung Shui Public Library will also hold a guided tour on the Hong Kong Sha Tau Kok Anti-war Memorial Hall on October 26 (Saturday). The memorial hall was the base of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Independent Brigade of the East River Column during the Japanese occupation. Participants will have a deeper understanding of the history and heroes of the Japanese occupation through the site visit.
All activities are free of charge. Seat reservations are required for some of the programmes. For more details, please visit the HKPL website (www.hkpl.gov.hk).
Some of the above activities are under the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. The LCSD has long been promoting Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public to learn more about the broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ccpo/index.html.