PolyU holds the Opening Ceremony of the Third PolyU Chinese Culture Festival cum Unveiling Ceremony of the Lam Tai Fai Amphitheatre; Promoting the excellence of Chinese culture and fostering cultural heritage exchange
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today held the Opening Ceremony of the Third PolyU Chinese Culture Festival, alongside the Unveiling Ceremony of the newly enhanced Lam Tai Fai Amphitheatre. As one of the University’s signature annual cultural events, the PolyU Chinese Culture Festival serves as a pivotal platform for preserving and promoting the excellence of Chinese culture while advancing students’ whole-person development. Through a diverse array of programmes, this year’s Festival continues to enhance the younger generation’s appreciation of Chinese culture and strengthen their sense of national identity. It also contributes to Hong Kong’s development as an East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange.
The Opening Ceremony was officiated by Mr LIU Maozhou, First-Level Inspector of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, together with Dr LAM Tai-fai, PolyU Council Chairman; Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President; Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation); Prof. CAO Jiannong, Vice President (Education); Prof. Ben YOUNG, Vice President (Student and Global Affairs) and Chairman of the PolyU Chinese Culture Festival; and Dr Ben LAU, Interim Vice President (Campus and Facilities).
Dr Lam Tai-fai said, “The strength and prosperity of a country and its people are underpinned by the flourishing of its culture. Only by firmly upholding cultural confidence can we promote cultural prosperity and provide solid support for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation. The National 15th Five-Year Plan calls for enhancing the country’s cultural soft power, promoting Chinese culture, and advancing the building of a global community with a shared future. This is not only a national strategy, but also an important mission for both Hong Kong and PolyU. This year, as we present the Third PolyU Chinese Culture Festival, we are further expanding its scope and enriching its depth. We have strengthened collaboration with provincial and municipal governments and relevant organisations in the Chinese Mainland. In particular, we have invited cultural teams from Guangdong and Fujian to showcase Hakka and Minnan cultures on our campus. Together, we will promote Chinese culture, enhance international exchange and outreach, support Hong Kong’s development as an East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange, integrate into and serve the overall national development, and enable Chinese culture to reach the world more effectively.”
The Festival’s inaugural event, “A Window onto Vast Vistas: Master Writers’ Hong Kong Traces”, is being held at the Wong Man and Tang Kit Wah Global Student Hub on the PolyU campus from now until 7 April. Organised by PolyU and co-organised by the National Museum of Modern Chinese Literature, the two-week programme focuses on six renowned modern Chinese literary masters — Lu Xun, Xiao Hong, Mao Dun, Ba Jin, Liang Yusheng and Jin Yong. Through rare archival materials, immersive exhibition settings and a variety of talks, the programme creates a cross-temporal platform for cultural dialogue.
Mr WANG Jun, Executive Deputy Director of the National Museum of Modern Chinese Literature, said in his online address, “The Chinese Culture Festival is not only PolyU’s annual cultural highlight, but also an important platform for promoting and sustaining fine traditional Chinese culture on university campuses. As a national hub for literary archives and research, the National Museum of Modern Chinese Literature has long been committed to bringing literature beyond academic communities and into the wider community. We are honoured to co-organise this exhibition and to showcase selected rare holdings from our collection on the PolyU campus. This initiative represents another meaningful step in our ongoing mission to connect communities through literature and to foster dialogue and exchange through curated exhibitions.”
The Third PolyU Chinese Culture Festival will present a wide range of programmes, including Ambassadors’ seminars, film screenings, a Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, thematic activities on Hakka and Fujian Minnan cultures, and the Global Confucius Institutes Hong Kong Forum. For the latest updates, please visit the Festival website.
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The exhibition “A Window onto Vast Vistas: Master Writers’ Hong Kong Traces” focuses on six modern Chinese literary masters — Lu Xun, Xiao Hong, Mao Dun, Ba Jin, Liang Yusheng and Jin Yong. It showcases precious materials, including their manuscripts and correspondence, and features a special reconstruction of the study rooms of Ba Jin and Mao Dun. |
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The thematic event “A Window onto Vast Vistas: Master Writers’ Hong Kong Traces” of the Third PolyU Chinese Culture Festival is being held at the Wong Man and Tang Kit Wah Global Student Hub on the PolyU campus from now until 7 April. [View exhibition photos here]
Unveiling of the enhanced Lam Tai Fai Amphitheatre: A new landmark for cultural exchange on campus
PolyU held the Unveiling Ceremony for the enhanced Lam Tai Fai Amphitheatre on the same day, officiated by Dr Lam Tai-fai and Prof. Jin-Guang Teng. Members of the PolyU Council and the central management team were in attendance to witness the Ceremony of this revitalised campus cultural venue.
Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said, “PolyU takes great pride in having Dr Lam as an outstanding alumnus and visionary leader. Today, as we unveil the Lam Tai Fai Amphitheatre, we are not only expressing our heartfelt gratitude for his steadfast support and generous contributions to his alma mater over the years, but also paying tribute to his dedication to Hong Kong, the Nation and the education sector. The Lam Tai Fai Amphitheatre is more than a landmark — it symbolises gratitude and giving back, perseverance and the pursuit of excellence, and a broad vision that embraces both the Nation and the world. On behalf of the University, I extend my sincerest appreciation to Dr Lam for dedicating his time, energy, expertise and determination to the continued advancement of his alma mater.”
The University named the venue outside the Jockey Club Auditorium as the Lam Tai Fai Amphitheatre in 2015 in recognition of Dr Lam’s significant contributions to education, community service and the development of PolyU. Enhancement works commenced in 2024. Retaining its fan-shaped design, the Amphitheatre now spans approximately 1,100 square metres and features tiered seating for up to 200 spectators. The venue is ideal for exhibitions, performances, outdoor displays and various campus activities. It will serve as a vibrant hub for cultural engagement, further strengthening connections among staff, students, alumni and the wider community.
PolyU held the Unveiling Ceremony of the Lam Tai Fai Amphitheatre on the same day, officiated by Dr Lam Tai-fai (left of the plaque) and Prof. Jin-Guang Teng (right of the plaque). Members of the PolyU Council and the central management team witnessed the Ceremony of this new campus cultural landmark.
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