In order to enhance exchanges and collaboration between libraries in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, the exhibition “Heritage and Inclusion: Literary Treasures of the Greater Bay Area”, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Public Libraries of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government, the Public Library of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) of the Macao SAR Government, the Guangzhou Encyclopedia Research Center and the Guangzhou Library, was inaugurated on 15 November at the Hong Kong Central Library. The opening ceremony was officiated by the Assistant Director of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government, Lee Tsz Chun; the Acting Head of the Division for Developing Bibliographic Resources of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Pun Ka Leng; and the Executive Deputy Director of the Guangzhou Encyclopedia Research Center and Deputy Director of the Guangzhou Library, Liu Pingqing; and was attended by the Chief Librarian of the Hong Kong Public Libraries of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government, Lee Mei Ling; the Functional Head of Division for Developing Bibliographic Resources of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Wong Kit Pek; the Associate Researcher and Head of Department of Academic Exchange and Research Management of the Guangzhou Encyclopedia Research Center, Zhang Yuhua; and the Macao scholar Lee Shuk Yee.
The exhibition features two major sections, namely “To See the Wood and the Forest: The Senado Library and Ancient Western Books in Early Hong Kong and Macao” presented by the Public Library of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, and “Joining Together under the Same Bright Moon – Roving Exhibition on Guangzhou Encyclopedia in the Greater Bay Area (Hong Kong Stop)” presented by the Guangzhou Encyclopedia Research Center and the Guangzhou Library, for unveiling the blood-bound affection for the country and as well as the shared memories under the two major themes.
The section “To See the Wood and the Forest: The Senado Library and Ancient Western Books in Early Hong Kong and Macao” presents rare foreign books and periodicals preserved in the Senado Library in Macao, including items dating as early as 1588. Among the highlights is the facsimile entitled Christiani Pueri Institutio, the first rare foreign book on Chinese history printed in Western movable type, which testifies the status of Macao as a pioneering place in the history of lead movable type printing in China. Western movable type printing led to the greater popularity of Chinese movable type, which facilitated the spread of bilingual books and periodicals from Macao and Hong Kong to Mainland China and eventually worldwide. The Senado Library’s collection reflects a vibrant blend of cultures and a spectacular boom of ideas in the history of cultural exchange between China and the West.
The exhibition “Heritage and Inclusion: Literary Treasures of the Greater Bay Area” is held at the Exhibition Gallery, G/F, Hong Kong Central Library, until 24 November. Admission is free.
For more information, please visit the website of the Public Library of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government (www.library.gov.mo).
