Hong Kong brings back Jin Yong’s world of wuxia in special memorial exhibition

“A Path to Glory – Jin Yong’s Centennial Memorial”, an exhibition in memory of late Hong Kong literary giant Louis Cha Leung-yung, kick-started on Friday and drew large crowds of fans to immerse themselves in the ancient world of wuxia. 

The exhibition with the subtitle “The World of Wuxia” is located at Edinburgh Place in Central and remains open until July 2. It features 10 sculptures of Jin Yong’s iconic characters including Xiaolongnu, Yang Guo, and Abbess Miejue, as well as a Mongolian yurt inspired by The Eagle-shooting Heroes. 

Meanwhile, the exhibition at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum in Sha Tin will display 22 character sculptures by sculptor Ren Zhe, offer immersive experiences to visitors, and hold seminars and talks starting from Saturday until October 7. 

Speaking at the commencement ceremony on Friday – also the centenary of Jin Yong’s birth, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said Chinese people worldwide are familiar with Jin Yong’s 15 novels which have become a “gold-plated signboard” for Hong Kong. 

His novels have been translated into different languages and serve as a window for the world to better explore Hong Kong. “Where there are Chinese people, there are Jin Yong’s readers,” he said. 

Lee also said Jin Yong’s works amplify the wuxia spirit of caring for the country and its people and believes this exhibition can inspire citizens to proactively contribute to the country and society. 

Lee extended gratitude towards the Cha family for donating a bust of Jin Yong which will remain a permanent part of the museum’s collection. 

New World Development chairman Adrian Cheng Chi-kong, also chairman of the Mega Arts and Cultural Events Committee, said Jin Yong’s works are adapted into a wide range of media from TV series, movies to comics and video games, proof that the universal values within are echoed across different generations. 

With over 100 million copies sold worldwide, his novels mark a milestone in Hong Kong’s culture and his influence is extended overseas for the world to better understand Chinese cultures throughout different historical periods, Cheng added. 

He continued that the organizers will seize this chance and further promote the novels to Bay Area cities, Southeast Asia and beyond. They will also cooperate and hold reading sessions with consulates to introduce the novels to foreign groups in Hong Kong in order to showcase the city’s cultural soft power, Cheng noted. 

Tourism minister Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said this exhibition is an important event for the Art March campaign and believes it can attract overseas readers and help revive the industry. 

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