Key words Search–Talk on Chinese Classics: Chinese Garden Culture
| Date: |
2026/9/13 (Sunday) |
| Time: |
2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Venue: |
Hong Kong Central Library (Lecture Theatre, G/F)
|
| Description: |
The technique of making painted porcelain by applying overglaze decoration to white porcelain before firing is known as jiacai in the industry. During the 20th century, jiacai was a booming industry in Hong Kong. With a history spanning nearly a century, painted porcelain produced in Hong Kong, also known as Gangcai, is mainly made for export. Not only has Gangcai been influenced by painted porcelain making techniques from Guangdong, but it also represents a fusion of Hong Kong’s local culture with traditional Chinese culture and the cultures of various export markets. Drawing on oral history records, the speaker will share the development, distinct characteristics and technical highlights of Gangcai. |
| Date: |
2025/9/21 (Sunday) |
| Time: |
2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Venue: |
Hong Kong Central Library (Lecture Theatre, G/F)
|
| Description: |
Following the Japanese Occupation of three years and eight months, Hong Kong experienced a sharp fall in population and a breakdown in the economy. Post-war reconstruction was imminent in the 1950s. At this juncture, a large number of mainlanders travelled south to Hong Kong for opportunities and brought with them capital and technologies. However, the Korean War followed and a trade embargo was imposed on China. Hong Kong was forced to transform from an entrepôt to an industrial city, thus laying the foundation for Hong Kong’s economic development. In this talk, the speaker will join us in revisiting the history of the War of Resistance and give an account of the post-war economic changes that Hong Kong underwent, providing a picture of Hong Kong’s metamorphosis from a war-ravaged city to an international metropolis. |
| Date: |
2026/12/5 (Saturday) |
| Time: |
2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Venue: |
Hong Kong Central Library (Lecture Theatre, G/F)
|
| Description: |
A considerable portion of Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage is closely related to food and drink. In particular, the everyday Chinese-style tea restaurants, better known as cha chaan teng, have earned a special place in the city’s heritage. The making techniques of Hong Kong-style milk tea, pineapple buns and egg tarts have been included in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Inventory of Hong Kong, underscoring their precious historical and cultural value. The rich aroma of Hong Kong-style milk tea speaks of generations of refined tea-making skills, while its silky smoothness tells the story of the dedicated masters who have perfected it. The pineapple bun, a creative product of cultural fusion, carries a history of changing names and evolving identity. Meanwhile, egg tarts have long offered a choice between flaky puff pastry and crisp “cookie” pastry, accommodating different tastes and connecting deeply to our daily life. Together, the intangible culinary heritage of cha chaan teng weaves an intriguing story of Hong Kong, one that lingers on with a lasting aftertaste. |
| Date: |
2024/4/21 (Sunday) |
| Time: |
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
| Venue: |
Tai Po Public Library (Extension Activities Room)
|
| Description: |
Conducted in Cantonese. Free and limited admission by reservation. Reservation through telephone or in person starts from 7.4.2024 (Sunday), on a first-come-first-served basis. |
| Date: |
2024/4/7 (Sunday) |
| Time: |
11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
| Venue: |
Tai Po Public Library (Extension Activities Room)
|
| Description: |
Conducted in Cantonese. Free and limited admission by reservation. Reservation through telephone or in person starts from 24.3.2024 (Sunday), on a first-come-first-served basis. |
| 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: |
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. |
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