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Exhibition of “Southbound Intellectuals and Their Legacy: Lingnan Literati’s Contribution to a Century of Hong Kong Education” Jointly Presented by Institute of Chinese Studies and CUHK Library
The Research Programme for Lingnan Culture of the Institute of Chinese Studies and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Library jointly present the exhibition Southbound Intellectuals and Their Legacy: Lingnan Literati’s Contribution to a Century of Hong Kong Education from now to 18 February 2022. Members of the public are welcome. Admission is free.
Southbound intellectuals have had a profound impact on the heritage and evolution of traditional Chinese culture in Hong Kong over the past century from the late Qing and Republican era. These Lingnan literati established schools and educational institutions for nurturing talent, and founded literary societies and poetry gatherings to facilitate literary expression and exchange. They also published newspapers and magazines, and organised exhibitions to preserve and promote the traditional Chinese culture in Hong Kong. The rich and enduring legacy of the traditional Chinese classics, art, and literature followed the southbound journey of these intellectuals to Hong Kong and flourished in the city. The exhibition aims to explore the Lingnan literati’s stories and their contribution to Hong Kong’s education.
The exhibition includes four sections. The first section introduces the lives of 20 southern Lingnan literati and their contributions to Hong Kong’s education, the second section traces their footprints in Hong Kong, and the third section presents the impact of their educational and cultural activities, including the launch of Chinese schools where they taught, participation in calligraphy and painting clubs, organising exhibitions and having articles published on newspapers. The fourth exhibition area displays their rare publications and manuscripts, as well as calligraphy and paintings. Public lectures will be offered during the exhibition period, where experts familiar with the history of Lingnan literati will share their insights. Details are to be announced later on the Research Programme for Lingnan Culture and CUHK Library website.
The opening ceremony of the exhibition was held earlier, with Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, Ms. Lillian Kiang, Chief Executive Officer of the Bei Shan Tang Foundation, Professor Max Tang, Director of the Institute of Chinese Studies of CUHK, Professor Lai Chi Tim, Director of the Research Programme for Lingnan Culture, Institute of Chinese Studies of CUHK, and Ms. Louise Jones, University Librarian of CUHK as officiating guests.
Professor Lai Chi Tim, curator of the exhibition remarked, “It is hoped that by reviewing the development of traditional Chinese culture education in Hong Kong, we can inspire the next generation of students to continue to promote the prosperity of Chinese culture and humanistic traditions.”
Details of the exhibition
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Date: |
From now to 18 February 2022 |
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Venue: |
Exhibition Area, G/F, University Library, CUHK |
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Sponsors: |
Bei Shan Tang Foundation, GS Charity Foundation |
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Opening hours: |
Please refer to CUHK library website: http://www.lib.cuhk.edu.hk/ |
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Enquires: |
3943 8740 / spc@lib.cuhk.edu.hk |
Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK (2nd left), Ms. Lillian Kiang, Chief Executive Officer of the Bei Shan Tang Foundation(3rd left), Professor Max Tang, Director of the Institute of Chinese Studies of CUHK (1st left), Professor Lai Chi Tim, Director of the Research Programme for Lingnan Culture, Institute of Chinese Studies of CUHK (4th left), and Ms. Louise Jones, University Librarian of CUHK (5th left) officiated at the opening ceremony.
The interactive section traces Lingnan literati’s footprints in Hong Kong.
The third section presents the impact of Lingnan literati’s educational and cultural activities, including the launch of Chinese schools where they taught, participation in calligraphy and painting clubs, organising exhibitions and having articles published on newspapers.
A precious painting by Lingnan literatus created in 1917 which is an important material for re-exploring the original appearance of Sung Wong Toi and its historical relics.
Imperial examination scholars of the late Qing dynasty in 1903 and 1904 in Hong Kong in 1936.
The two poetry collections including 400 poems in total by a Lingnan literatus were published in 1909 and 1912.
The special issue was published in 1930 by a Lingnan literatus recording the main development of the Confucianism movement in the Republican era.
The handout for teaching Confucianism compiled in the 1930s by a popular Confucianist has been an important reference for studying the development of traditional Confucianism in Hong Kong in the early 20th century.
The original piece of calligraphy and painting by a great master of traditional Chinese painting was provided by CUHK Art Museum collection.
