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Header image courtesy of Occasions
“A Path to Glory—Jin Yong’s Centennial Memorial” celebrates the one-hundredth anniversary of the birth of Chinese literary giant Jin Yong, also known as Louis Cha, whose classic wuxia (chivalry and martial arts) novels have revolutionised Chinese literature. Hundreds of fans and spectators gathered at Edinburgh Place in Central to witness the opening ceremony of the six-month event.
Commemorating the centennial of Louis Cha’s birth was always going to be a grand affair, not only because of the author’s outstanding contributions to Chinese literature and the wuxia genre, but also for his strong ties to Hong Kong. Cha moved to Hong Kong at age 24, making the city his home, and the place where he wrote and serialised his tremendously popular novels.
Present at the ceremony, the chief executive of the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, John KC Lee, called to the audience’s mind the standing of Cha’s works: “Jin Yong’s works have not only been the symbol of Hong Kong culture, but also a cultural phenomenon renowned at home and abroad,” and shared thoughts about the impending wave of “Jin Yong fever!”
In remarkable efforts to create a city-wide celebration of the local giant, “A Path to Glory—Jin Yong’s Centennial Memorial” will comprise two main exhibitions as well as supporting annex activities and displays. “The World of Wuxia” at Edinburgh Place showcases 10 sculptures by Chinese artist Ren Zhe, each depicting one of Jin Yong’s iconic characters, complete with backdrops and sets for visitors to picture themselves as a wuxia character.
The second main exhibition, held at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum in Sha Tin, sees another 22 sculptures of Jin Yong’s characters created by Ren alongside sculptural manuscripts for an in-depth experience. Statues also inhabit the Hong Kong International Airport, ferry piers, the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal, and various districts around town. Reading sessions, concerts, painting workshops, and more activities will further enliven the celebration.
Present at the opening ceremony, Cha’s family donated a bronze statue representing the author to the Hong Kong government. The keepsake was sculpted by Ren as a commemoration of the centenary. The bronze statue will be kept at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum as part of its permanent collection.
Also present at the opening ceremony, the chairman of the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Committee, Adrian Cheng Chi-kong, thanked everyone involved in the organisation of such a large-scale event, which will “take Jin Yong’s cultural experiences to overseas markets, and showcase Hong Kong’s cultural industry to the outside world,” he said.
All in all, the opening ceremony of “A Path to Glory—Jin Yong’s Centennial Memorial” was a faithful representation of what this centenary celebration aims to achieve over the next few months—gathering locals and visitors from overseas to celebrate and rediscover a Chinese author of international stature.
Find out more about the event and how to attend here.
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