Opening Ceremony Guest 開幕式嘉賓
Prof. CHING May Bo 程美寶教授
Prof. CHING May Bo is currently the professor of History and head of the department of Chinese and History at the City University of Hong Kong and the “Distinguished Professor of the Pearl River Scholars” at Sun Yat-sen University. She has made significant contributions to the disciplines in the Social and Cultural History of Modern China, the History of South China and Historical Anthropology. Also, Prof. CHING has unique and in-depth insights into Hong Kong history and culture. It is our pleasure to invite her as the guest of honour for the opening ceremony and to give a speech for the ceremony.
程美寶教授是香港城市大學中文及歷史系歷史學教授及系主任，並同時擔任廣東省中山大學 「珠江學者特聘教授」。她在中國近代社會文化史、嶺南史、歷史人類學等研究領域都頗有建樹。同時，程美寶教授對香港的歷史與文化有著獨特與深入的見解。我們很榮幸地邀請到她成為開幕式的嘉賓，並爲儀式致辭。
Guest Speech 寄語
In Hong Kong, talking about one’s experience of growing up in a certain “district” (區) is like talking about one’s “native place” (鄉下). Whereas “district” is a modern administrative unit, “native place” sounds rural and somewhat distant. Growing up in To Kwa Wan, I share with many friends of my age who also grew up there some common memories. We find the “Apple House” an unforgettable local landmark. We remember our childhood playing in Hoi Sham Park running around the “Fishtail Rock”. We recall the smelts of the gasholder and the slaughterhouse (now nicely known as “Cattle Depot Artist Village”). As kids, we did not know that Hoi Sham Park was located on a piece of land resulting from reclamation which connected Hoi Sham Island (“island in the middle of the sea”) with the mainland. We didn’t know there used to have a “Long Mo (Dragon Mother) Temple”. As primary school students we didn’t learn anything about our own residential district and were not told that temples were worth visiting. As secondary school students we were not supposed to know anything about such concepts as “social class” and “community development”.
Becoming a historian by training I gradually realize that every place has a history and that local history is not only about the place in particular but more about how a particular place is connected with the rest of the world. After leaving To Kwa Wan and my childhood for ages, I seldom visited Hoi Sham Park, why should I? But in 2008 when I was reading archives at the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich, I found myself revisiting the site virtually ---- I bumped into a nineteenth-century watercolour sketch and found “Fishtail Rock” depicted there! It was drawn by a British naval surgeon who passed Kowloon amidst the First Opium War! I suddenly realized that the poorly facilitated public park was located on a site that witnessed a glimpse of global history. I decided that I should visit To Kwa Wan in particular the two temples to see if I could find out more.
With such experiences, when I learnt that CAH3517 (Cultural Tourism) and CAH4536 (Advanced Management for Cultural Professionals) students were organizing “Exploring Hong Kong: Cultural Festival 2023”, I imagine that their activities would help me explore the local cultures of six selected districts in Hong Kong not by treating them as mere “native place” with a mood of nostalgia and provincialism, but by exposing me to the transnational and transregional characteristics of Hong Kong. I trust that our students are doing so, and am looking forward to tasting the fruits of their teamwork.
With the gradual return to normal life in the post-Covid days, we finally can hold a physical event after three years. I wish the festival a great success, and all guests and participants a most rewarding and enjoyable time in the districts that they may plan to visit after viewing the exhibit.
CHING May Bo
Head and Professor
Department of Chinese and History
City University of Hong Kong
19th March 2023