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A fascinating collection of documents and collectables will go on display from tomorrow at Hong Kong Central Library (HKCL). Exhibits include the first anthology of Chinese calligraphic works from the Northern Song Dynasty; handbills from the Tai Ping Theatre in the 1930s; the Chor Fung Ming Cantonese Opera Troupe's debut programme booklet; manuscripts by Eileen Chang and Lo Hong-lit; "Children's Paradise" - the first local children's magazine; gramophone records including "Beyond the Region" and "Colourful Youth"; and manuscripts of the famous songs "Empty Chair" and "A Melancholy Melody".
The exhibition, entitled "A Decade of Documents Collection Campaigns of the Hong Kong Central Library: Review and Prospect" will be held on the first floor of HKCL from June 18 until November 30. Admission is free.
To enhance public awareness of the preservation of local heritage and encourage research into local culture, HKCL has held two collection campaigns - the Documents Collection Campaign and the Hong Kong Music Collection Campaign - since 2001. Over 200 000 items, including literary documents and music materials, have been collected.
The exhibition, one of a number of programmes celebrating the 10th anniversary of HKCL, will highlight the history and accomplishments of these two campaigns over the past decade, as well as outlining future work.
The exhibition consists of various themes. Some of the valuable items on display include "Chunhua Ge Tie", the first anthology of Chinese calligraphic works from the Northern Song Dynasty, Shunzhi (Qing Dynasty) edition of 1646; the handbill for "Lady Precious Stream", performed by the Tai Ping Cantonese Opera Troupe in 1936; "Children's Paradise", the first local children's magazine published from 1953 to 1994; the souvenir booklet for the debut performance of the Chor Fung Ming Cantonese Opera Troupe in 1965; manuscripts of Eileen Chang and Professor Lo Hong-lit; and old copies of the "Hong Kong Evening Post", the first local newspaper, published in 1921.
Various music-related materials on display include compositions by Wu Man-sum, Ng Tai-kong, and Richard Lam's Canto-pop "Empty Chair" and old "Columbia", "EMI" and "New Moon" gramophone records from the 1920's and 1930's, as well as from the films "Colourful Youth" and the popular "Beyond the Horizon".
Over the years, the HKCL has organised various promotion activities such as thematic exhibitions, seminars, academic talks and concerts for the two collection campaigns. The exhibition will look back and review those memorable events and the future developments of the HKCL.
In the coming months, HKCL will present a series of thematic exhibitions, talks and seminars to celebrate its 10th anniversary. From July to August, the Arts Resource Centre on the 10/F will showcase teddy bears dressed in ancient Chinese costumes made by famous local author Xi Xi and the Adult Lending Library on the 3/F will stage a book display on Xi Xi's literary works. Additionally the popular Summer Reading Month will be held at HKCL and various other libraries while the Hong Kong Biennial Awards for Chinese Literature Literary Seminars will be held in August and September. A talk series on "Dialogue Between Past and Present" will also be organised in September and October.
For enquiries about the exhibition, please call 2921 0323 or 2921 0259 or visit the Hong Kong Public Libraries' website www.hkpl.gov.hk.
Ends/Friday, June 17, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:45
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