PolyU 85th Anniversary Public Lecture by Hong Kong Palace Museum Director Dr Louis Ng Chi-wa: A New Vision for Carrying the Traditional Culture Forward

As part of the 85th Anniversary celebration series of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the University invited Dr Louis NG Chi-wa, Director of Hong Kong Palace Museum, to speak at a public lecture entitled “A New Vision for Carrying the Traditional Culture Forward” at the Jockey Club Auditorium of PolyU. Dr Ng led the audience on a journey of cultural heritage, and shared his views on how the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) would inherit and interpret the cultural relics and culture of the Palace Museum from a local perspective via a global lens. The lecture attracted more than 800 guests, staff, students, alumni and public.

The Palace Museum houses a collection of national treasures, which are not only rare and precious, but also serve as vehicles for promoting Chinese philosophy and culture. Dr Louis Ng shared his views yesterday at the lecture on the role of the Palace Museum in the inheritance of Chinese culture, and how the opening of the HKPM will bring forth a new vision. He said that the HKPM is committed to inheriting and innovating Chinese traditional culture, and adhering to the mission and values of the Palace Museum, while acting as a bridge between China and the world to advance cultural dialogue and mutual learning among world civilisations by adopting the four “Visions” – “Modern Vision”, “Innovative Vision”, “Hong Kong Vision” and “Global Vision”. Moderated by Dr Kathy MAK Yim-king, Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Assistant Professor of the Department of Chinese Culture of PolyU, Dr Ng also had a discussion with Ms Mary YU, Awardee of the Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award 2021, and other guests on the topic of how to further carry traditional culture forward.

Dr Louis NG Chi-wa, said, “The important concept of cultural inheritance is not only to inherit the cultural heritage of predecessors, but also to introduce new elements and vitality to the traditional culture. The Hong Kong Palace Museum is committed to integrating technology with tradition, and encouraging young people to use their creativity to bring new interpretations and meaning to cultural inheritance. The HKPM shares the same vision and value in the future of Hong Kong with PolyU; both are willing to take responsibility for and contribute to the development of culture and education in Hong Kong. I strongly believe that a new era will soon begin in the inheritance and development of our city’s culture and education.”

Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, President of PolyU, said, “We are committed to nurturing students with a strong sense of national identity, social responsibility and a global perspective through holistic education. We also put strong emphasis on value cultivation of our students. With the celebration of our 85th Anniversary this year, we hope to promote Chinese art and culture together with the Hong Kong Palace Museum, and increase the awareness of Chinese culture among the public and especially the younger generation. We are very grateful to Dr Louis Ng Chi-wa for strongly supporting our art and culture promotion endeavours.”

PolyU’s 85th Anniversary celebrations kicked off last November and have included a public lecture by Prof. POON Chung-kwong, President Emeritus of PolyU, and a drama production by PolyU Theatre called “Our Town”. Upcoming finale events include the 85th Anniversary Grand Concert and an anniversary gala dinner.

***END***