"Amazing Oracle Bone Script" exhibition brings ancient Chinese writing to life in HK

Hong Kong Central Library is currently hosting the "Amazing Oracle Bone Script" exhibition as part of the Chinese Culture Festival 2025, running until July 22.

The exhibition offers visitors a fascinating journey through China's earliest known writing system.

At the opening ceremony, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui described how the exhibition presents oracle bone script through three distinct thematic areas. 

Visitors can explore both artistic interpretations and technological innovations related to these ancient characters, supplemented by an engaging program of seminars, lectures and guided tours.

Law emphasized the special significance of this exhibition, noting that Henan province—the birthplace of oracle bone script—has played a key collaborative role through Hong Kong's Federation of Literary and Arts Circles. 

The event has been further enriched by substantial support from China's Zhong Guo Wen Zi Bo Wu Guan and Henan Museum.

The exhibition guides visitors through the evolution of Chinese characters, beginning with oracle bone script and ending with modern characters, and features five meticulously reproduced oracle bone artifacts crafted using traditional intangible cultural heritage techniques.

Another section showcases contemporary digital artworks and installations by Professor Chen Nan from Tsinghua Academy, while a specially designed XR technology zone transports visitors into the world of oracle bone script through cutting-edge virtual reality experiences.

This unique cultural event provides both local residents and international visitors with an unprecedented opportunity to engage with one of humanity's oldest writing systems through multiple interactive dimensions.