Key words Search–Talk on Chinese Classics: Chinese Garden Culture
| Date: |
2026/8/22 (Saturday) |
| Time: |
2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Venue: |
Kowloon Public Library (Extension Activities Room)
|
| Description: |
As Hong Kong underwent rapid urbanisation, many villages were relocated, demolished or simply erased from maps. Today, memories of these villages are fading with time, teetering on the brink of oblivion. Through collections of oral history, archival documents and old maps, this talk revives the images of these forgotten villages, retells their stories and rewrites a collective memory of Hong Kong. |
| Date: |
2026/7/19 (Sunday) |
| Time: |
2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Venue: |
Hong Kong Central Library (Lecture Theatre, G/F)
|
| Description: |
“Today, we are far apart, and meeting has become difficult; thus I drift alone under the cool evening sky on a silent boat.” These lines, from the classic Cantonese Nanyin “A Wanderer’s Autumn Grief”, are performed time and again by actors appearing in Hong Kong films. Whenever the tunes pop up, they stir a collective memory of Nanyin among Hong Kong people. From the movie “Rouge” more than thirty years ago to the more recent “The Last Dance”, the haunting melody of Nanyin seems like a secret code that always quietly plays on the heartstrings of the Cantonese community. This enduring resonance is no coincidence, probably because Nanyin has been performed by gushi (blind male singers) and Cantonese opera singers in Hong Kong for generations. In contrast, another form of narrative singing Yue’ou, which was presented in the Cantonese vernacular by shiniang (blind female artists) in Hong Kong half a century ago, has been almost completely forgotten. Both Nanyin and Yue’ou belong to the same tradition of narrative song art, with the former being remembered while the latter slipping into oblivion. Remembrance and forgetting are two sides of the same coin. When we speak of “Hong Kong memories”, one may ask, “What exactly have we forgotten?” |
| Date: |
2024/7/21 (Sunday) |
| Time: |
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Venue: |
Fanling Public Library (Extension Activities Room)
|
| Description: |
Sek pun, or commonly known as “basin feast”, is a mixed stew dish that features a variety of savory food served in a round basin. Sek pun has been a traditional activity among local clans, with a history of over 400 years, dating back to as early as the mid- to late Ming dynasty when the clans were formed. Basin feasts are held on joyous or festive occasions. As a symbol of unity, clansmen will gather together at the table to eat at a basin feast, where they maintain social bonding and develop senses of belonging and identity to the community. This talk will delve into the story behind this delightful culinary tradition. |
| Date: |
2024/9/14 (Saturday) |
| Time: |
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Venue: |
Hong Kong Central Library (Lecture Theatre, G/F)
|
| Description: |
Starting from the early 20th century, a number of seal carvers moved to Hong Kong or began making frequent trips between Guangdong and Hong Kong for various reasons. A seal carving community gradually established in the territory as a result, laying a crucial foundation for the development of seal carving in Hong Kong. In fact, despite its small size, Hong Kong has played a major role in the history of Lingnan seal carving. By giving a comprehensive account of the art of seal carving in Hong Kong, including its origin and history, the seal art education and the study of sigillography, this talk will let us have a better understanding of the seal carving landscape in Hong Kong. |
| Date: |
2024/12/7 (Saturday) |
| Time: |
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Venue: |
Sham Shui Po Public Library (Extension Activities Room)
|
| Description: |
What qualities are required for being a radio programme host (also known as DJ)? How can a radio programme be appealing to the audience? What strange and funny things can happen during a live broadcast? How does one come up with an endless number of topics every day? Many of us would definitely like to know the answers to questions like these. In this talk, a veteran radio programme host will guide you to the broadcasting studio, unveiling its mysteries and sharing the unforgettable memories that are held within this tiny little room. |
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