The award ceremony for the seventh “Literary CUHK” essay competition was held on 25 November by the Chinese Language Teaching Development Centre (CLTDC) of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Around 500 submissions were received. After almost half a year of calling for and reviewing entries, 23 essays were awarded.
Prof. Nim Yan WONG, Associate Dean of Arts and Prof. Sze Wing TANG, Chair of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, officiated at the ceremony. Prizes were presented by Prof. Martin D.F. WONG, Dean of Engineering, Mr. Leo MA, Head of New Asia College Library and United College Library, Prof. Kam Siu Kenneth CHEUNG, Dean of Students of New Asia College, Prof. Chi Kwan Vincent CHEUNG, College Dean of Students, and Mr. Yuen Siu Cheong, a Hong Kong writer and editor.
Contestants are encouraged to depict the picturesque campus sceneries and reveal their stories as a CUHKer. The winning entries cover a wide spectrum of themes including thoughts on life inspired by the nostalgia from living in campus away from home, arguments on whether “to remember” and “to forgive” triggered by a last-minute situation before exam, and questions on time deriving from a habit of a roommate when drinking lemon tea. The essays have shown excellence in expressing emotions, illustrating sceneries and criticizing, demonstrating the humanistic spirit of CUHK.
Prof. WONG encouraged everyone not to be discouraged by challenges and limitations, but to find breakthroughs at the line, when literature acts at the light on the other side. Facing the ever-changing post-pandemic era, how awardees from various faculties studying different subjects grasped inspirations from fragments of life, turned those into the award-winning essays, is the best demonstration of positively facing life.
Prof. TANG noted in his speech that “Literary CUHK” has been welcomed by students and alumni. The aim of the competition is to promote writing and enhance language proficiency with non-formal education. Prof. TANG further encouraged everyone to pay attention to things around us, record them by words and enrich our life with literature.
To motivate students’ interest in learning the Chinese language, the Department has edited and published teaching materials for students by combining the unique historical background and environmental features of CUHK. This includes a collection of selected literary works about CUHK, known as “中大．山水．人文” (CUHK, Landscape, Humanities). The CLTDC has organized “Literary CUHK” for all students and alumni every year since 2015 to arouse their interest in creative writing in Chinese and to enhance their observation and expressive skills through the writing competition. It is believed that the power of literature will pass through the ages and shine uniquely in the young generation.
More Information on “Literary CUHK” is available at the Learning Chinese Outside Classroom webpage at
https://www.chltcac.cuhk.edu.hk/culitrecentnews.
