Hong Kong Literary Atlas
“Literature. I know nothing about it!” That is a common misconception. It also holds that people who study literature should do so behind closed doors. But presenters of CIBS programme “Hong Kong Literary Atlas” believe that we can all enjoy literary studies, and should take a walk afterwards.
Take presenter Angus Lee. He acquired the hobby of strolling around after reading Intersection, a novel by Liu Yichang. Chunyu Bai and Ah Xing, the protagonists of Intersection, roamed the streets of Mongkok in the 1970s. “They wandered about aimlessly, and it dawned on me that I could do the same.” Angus would wonder if he could meet a young girl like Ah Xing while walking down Nathan Road. Through the impressions created by the novel, he began to notice the random changes of districts as times go by, and all sorts of short dramas started to play out in his mind, making strolling around a lot more fun. “The inspirations by literature can take you to places.”
Angus Lee, one of the presenters, developed an interest in roaming the streets of Hong Kong after reading Intersection, a novel.
To Cameron Yu, district-oriented texts are essential despite the changing times. “Hong Kong often goes through sudden and rapid changes. We need people from different eras to keep writing about it.” Each of the districts described are distinct. They are pieces of a puzzle that shows a whole picture. Going through Hong Kong literature from different times can help develop a deeper insight into the city.
The observation that people are yearning to learn about Hong Kong has encouraged Angus to produce the CIBS programme “Hong Kong Literary Atlas”, in which he invited youngsters Janice Ng and Cameron to introduce to the audience local literature and community. The idea is for listeners to discover Hong Kong literature through the community around them, and to learn about the place they live in through literature.
The programme is co-presented by young literarians Janice Ng (left) and Cameron Yu (right).
Angus hoped that listeners of his programme would go visit the districts featured, “It’s a form of self actualisation.” Scenes depicted by writers are concoctions of their own imagination and knowledge. To feel connected to a place, one needs personal experience. Only then can a sense of belonging arise.
