The thematic event “A Window onto Vast Vistas: Master Writers’ Hong Kong Traces” attracted over two thousand participants, fostering a trend of promoting Chinese culture

The first themed event of the third “PolyU Chinese Culture Festival”, titled “A Window onto Vast Vistas: Master Writers’ Hong Kong Traces”, recently concluded with great success. During the two-week event, a diverse range of activities—including an exhibition of precious artifacts, film screenings, academic lectures, and workshops—attracted over two thousand PolyU students, staff, alumni, and the public. The program effectively deepened the younger generation's understanding of national conditions and excellent traditional Chinese culture, while enhancing their sense of national pride.

The exhibition was organised by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) with full support from the National Museum of Modern Chinese Literature, which provided numerous rare artifacts. It focused on six giants of modern Chinese literature who shared deep historical ties with Hong Kong: Lu Xun, Xiao Hong, Mao Dun, Ba Jin, Liang Yusheng, and Jin Yong.

A major highlight of the exhibition held on the PolyU campus was the display of precious original manuscripts and letters. Most notable were the specially reconstructed study rooms of Ba Jin and Mao Dun. Many visitors expressed that the immersive experience felt like a dialogue across time and space with these literary masters, allowing them to witness the literary imprints left by the authors in Hong Kong and experience their profound spirit of devotion to the nation and its people.

Beyond the static exhibition, the themed activities included several specialised lecture, book club, and workshop focused on Lu Xun, Xiao Hong, and Jin Yong, alongside a documentary screening about Jin Yong. Participants not only gained insights into the lives and works of these three writers but also explored the profound connections between literature, Hong Kong, and the individual through interactive sessions.

In response to the contemporary wave of technology, the event also featured two lectures on Artificial Intelligence (AI), exploring the impact of AI on literary creation. These sessions sparked lively discussions among a new generation of creators regarding how to uphold the roots and essence of Chinese literature amidst a changing landscape, thereby promoting the inheritance and innovation of Chinese culture.

The PolyU Chinese Culture Festival has become a signature annual cultural event for the University. Through close collaboration with provincial and municipal governments and relevant institutions in the Chinese Mainland, PolyU aims to build a comprehensive cultural learning platform for students. This initiative serves not only as a platform for cultural exchange but also as a bridge for deep emotional connection, enabling young students to build stronger cultural confidence and national identity while learning about the history of their home and country.

Six themed activities

Ms Duan Xin (right), the chief director of the documentary "Da Xia Jin Yong", shared her journey in creating the documentary with Dr Li Meng (left), Lecturer of the Department of Chinese History and Culture at PolyU.

Dr Cheung Yuen-Man, Instructor of Chinese Language Centre at PolyU, made use of the modern psychological tool MBTI and guided the participants to analyse the personality of characters in Jin Yong's novels.

Ms Choi Yuk-ling, Instructor of Chinese Language Centre at PolyU, led the participants into Xiao Hong's literary world through game and reading aloud.

One of the curators of the exhibition, Prof. Zhao Yi (left), Assistant Professor of the Department of Chinese History and Culture at PolyU and Prof. Poon Chung-kwong (right), former President of PolyU.

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