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The opening ceremony of the 11th Hong Kong Literature Festival, organised by the Hong Kong Public Libraries of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, was held at Hong Kong Central Library (HKCL) today (June 23), launching this important biennial event in the cause of Hong Kong literature.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Chairman of the Public Libraries Advisory Committee, Professor Leung Yuen-sang, said, "Literature is like a door, through which people can travel in time to appreciate the cultural scenery of various ages. Adopting the theme of 'My Way, My Literature', the Festival this year will explore the subtle correlation between literature and daily life. In the coming 18 days we will revisit the literary works of local writers, scholars, artists and cultural critics to share the unforgettable touching stories and tender sentiments they had in bygone days."
At the ceremony, the winners of two pre-festival activities, namely the Literary Performance Competition and the Rhythm of Nature Writing Competition, were awarded prizes. Students participating in the Literary Performance Competition selected their favourite stories before role-playing them impressively on the ceremonial stage. The winning entries of the two activities will be on display at the HKCL Exhibition Gallery throughout the festival period. Students participating in the creation exhibition zone were presented with appreciation certificates and also shared their views on the project.
Under the theme "My Way, My Literature", the festival runs from today to July 10. Over 30 interactive literary activities including a thematic exhibition, symposiums, guided reading sessions, a Good Read series and a Poetic Living reading and sharing session, have been organised.
The festival's highlight, a thematic exhibition titled "My Way, My Literature" will be held at the HKCL Exhibition Gallery from tomorrow (June 24) to July 10. With "Imagination of Life" as the main theme, the exhibition is divided into two sections. The first section is the exhibition zone "My Way, My Literature", where local literature pieces are introduced under four themes, namely "City Stories", "Travelogues", "Literary and Lives", and "Nature Writing", allowing visitors to observe another side of the city and experience ubiquitous human feelings. The other section is the creation exhibition zone, with panels created by secondary students to showcase their thoughts on literary works from their own perspective.
Other highlights are three symposiums entitled Encounter with Literature, with topics including "Mapping City Stories through Literature", "Diaspora, Memory and a Sense of Place" and "Women's Writing in Literature". Various acclaimed local and overseas speakers will be invited to explore the close relationship between literature and life, thus bringing together diverse features of literature.
In the guided reading sessions, three winning authors of the 13th Hong Kong Biennial Awards for Chinese Literature will explain their creative concepts. Scholars and literary experts will also discuss themes and writing techniques, enabling readers to gain a deeper understanding of the winning works, namely "How Broad are Plank Roads of Sunshine", "Breakthrough from Hell" and "A Private Domain".
Included in the festival for the first time are the Summer Poetry Recitals, at which poetry societies and literature lovers have been invited to recite selected poems of disparate subjects and styles, and where they can share with readers the distinctive rhythm and creative techniques of poetry. The programme is divided into three sessions, starting off with "Poetry Alive" to offer readers a pragmatic view of poetry. In "Students' Poetry Recitals", students will illustrate the interaction between modern poems and multimedia as a new form of art. Finally in "Nature in the Rhyme", contemporary poets will elaborate on the close relationship between humans and nature through poems in English.
The Good Read Series is being held once again, with scholars from three universities discussing Chinese and foreign classics and contemporary literature. They will explore the importance of literature in a straightforward manner. In addition, Group Reading Workshops organised for secondary school teachers and students is returning, in which writers, poets and scholars will lead participants in appreciating Chinese and foreign classical masterpieces.
At the Poetic Memories reading and sharing session, the final programme of the festival, more than 10 well known Hong Kong poets will talk about the wonders to be found in everyday life. They will also select and recite their favourite works, whereby participants can savour the poets' sentiments as the festival comes to a perfect close.
The Fans of Literature Festival will continue this year. Literature lovers are encouraged to become fans and to receive festival souvenirs and updates on future literary activities organised by public libraries.
All activities are free. Festival booklets are available at all public libraries. For more details, please see the website: www.hkpl.gov.hk/11hklf. Enquiries can be made at 2928 4551.
Ends/Thursday, June 23, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:58
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