ROYAL ASIATIC
SOCIETY NEWSLETTER HONG KONG
E-mail: [email protected] Tel: + (852) 2234 5011 Fax: + (852) 2234 5039 GPO Box 3864, Hong Kong www.royalasiaticsociety.org.hk http://www.facebook.com/RoyalAsiaticSocietyHongKong Twitter: RASHK 1959
September 2019
Photo Courtesy: Martin Merz
Xiqu Centre of West Kowloon Cultural District 西九文化區東側的戲曲中心
Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong | 2019
Contents
MESSAGE FROM YOUR VICE PRESIDENT 3
FUTURE ACTIVITIES
Tue, 10 Sep 2019 Lecture Interpreting Chart 1696, Views – Hong Kong Island & Vicinity, 1847: 4 Lt Leopold George Heath RN of HMS Iris, March 1846
Thu, 19 Sep, 2019 Local Visit The Mills & CHAT Guided Tour 5
Tue, 24 Sep 2019 Lecture Trees of Hong Kong – the Art & the Science 6
Wed, 9 Oct 2019 Lecture Austronesian Asia - Hub of Global Commerce 8
Sat, 26 Oct 2019 Local Visit Po Leung Kuk Museum Guided Tour 9
Fri, 8 Nov 2019 Lecture George Chinnery - Friends, Fictions & Finances 11
RECENT ACTIVITIES
Thu, 18 Jul 2019 Xiqu Centre Guided Tour 12
Sat, 10 Aug 2019 A History of the World in 100 Objects from the British Museum 13
OF GENERAL INTEREST
Fri, 21 Jun, 2019 Curry Tiffin Lunch 14
17-23 Jul 2019 Hong Kong Book Fair 30th Edition 15
Sun, 11 Aug 2019 Hong Kong Victory Day Commemoration Ceremony 2019 16
St. John’s Cathedral Shop 17
2019 Membership Renewal 17
PUBLICATIONS 19
CONTACT DETAILS 20
Cover Photo: RASHK members & guests inside the Xiqu Centre during their visit on Thu. 18 Jul 2019.
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Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong | 2019
Message from your Vice President, Helen Tinsley
Welcome to this September 2019 issue of the RASHK Newsletter.
As all of you will be aware, Hong Kong is experiencing very troubled times and hitting global headlines, with a long hot ‘summer of discontent’ and no clear endgame in sight at present. There have been numerous expert commentaries on the background leading to the current situation, hot debate on the issues raised and the role of social media in a rapidly swirling communication environment. You will all have your own opinions. Let us hope, over time, that wise and cool heads will prevail for a successful outcome.
Much of the activity related to the recent social unrest has been rather localized and we continued with our limited summer programme of events, also the planning of activities for the months leading up to the end of this year and beyond. There were two well attended and successful visits in July and August to the newly opened Xiqu Centre for Chinese Opera and the major travelling exhibition ‘A History of the World in 100 Objects’ from the British Museum at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum.
Please take a look at what else has been happening over the summer. We were very happy to meet up with Paul Bolding and Kirsty Norman of ‘Friends of RASHK’ who were visiting Hong Kong from London and whom some of our Council and Activities Committee members had the chance to meet and exchange views over a curry lunch in June. They extend a warm welcome to RASHK members who may be visiting London and would like to attend their events. In July, books from the RAS Hong Kong Study Series were on display in the HKU and City U booths at the very busy recent Hong Kong Book Fair. Mike Broom kindly represented RASHK at the August annual wreath laying ceremony at City Hall organized by the Hong Kong Prisoners of War Association to celebrate the end of Pacific War. And finally, our membership database is in the process of an upgrade following an IT project which has been going on over the summer, hoping to make future administration of the database easier and more efficient, with big thanks to Connie Carmichael for overseeing this initiative.
We have been busy preparing a rich and varied programme of events over the coming few months for our members, with information about September and October activities to be seen later on in this Newsletter and on our website. We look forward to your feedback on the programme and seeing many of you there.
Helen Tinsley RASHK Vice President and Activities Coordinator August 2019
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Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong | 2019
Future Activities
LECTURE
Interpreting Chart 1696, Views – Hong Kong Island and Vicinity, 1847: Lt Leopold George Heath RN of HMS Iris, March 1846
Tue • 10 Sep 2019
Image courtesy of J.J. Heath-Caldwell
1696-Views, Hong Kong Island and vicinity, a sheet of images issued by the British Admiralty in 1847, has three images that together form a 360-degree panorama of Victoria Harbour as it was in 1846. Drawn by Lt Leopold George Heath, the gunnery lieutenant of HMS Iris the views are one of the best-known images of early Hong Kong. In this talk Stephen Davies will relate the images to the eight watercolour originals from which they were engraved, explain where the views were drawn from and analyse what they show. He will also talk about the history of the sheet of views, how long they were in production, how many different versions - or states as they are called - there seem to have been and the near impossibility of accurately dating most of them.
The Speaker
Stephen Davies, a Briton with family connections to Hong Kong that go back to the mid-1920s, served in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines (1963-67), briefly designed atlases and taught sailing and mountaineering before falling off a cliff and having to be screwed back together (1967-68). After university in Wales and London (1968-74) he taught political theory at the University of Hong Kong (1974-89). From 1990-2003 he and his partner sailed 50,000 miles visiting 27 countries in their 38’ sailing sloop; useful background for a maritime historian. He was appointed the first Museum Director of the Hong Kong Maritime Museum in 2005 finally leaving to return to academia in 2013. A published maritime historian, focused on Asian Seas and the interactions between the western and traditional Asian maritime worlds, he works with the Department of Real Estate and Construction, of which he is an Honorary Professor, and is an Honorary Fellow of the University’s Hong Kong Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences at HKU and on heritage lighthouses in HK, Macau, Taiwan, China and SE Asia with a team at the City University of Hong Kong. He is also Hon. Editor of the Journal of the Royal
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Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong | 2019
Future Activities
Asiatic Society Hong Kong. His most recent books are Coasting Past: The last of South China coastal trading junks photographed by William Heering (Hong Kong Maritime Museum 2013) and East sails west: the voyage of the Keying, 1846-1855 (Hong Kong University Press 2014). ‘Strong to Save: Maritime mission in Hong Kong from Whampoa Reach to the Mariners’ Club’ was published by City University Press of Hong Kong in July 2017. He is now working on ‘Transport to another world: the life and times of HMS Tamar 1863-2015’. He continues as a yachting journalist, active yachtsman and occasional TV presenter, and works with museums and heritage interests in China, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Programme Speaker: Stephen Davies Date: Tue, 10 Sep 2019 Time: Reception desk opens 6:30 p.m.; talk starts at 7:00 p.m. Venue: Café 8 at Pier 8, Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Central Admission: RAS Members $150; Non-members $200 including snacks and a complimentary drink - please advise of any special dietary needs. Booking: Please email
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LOCAL VISIT
The Mills & Centre for Heritage, Art & Textile (CHAT) Guided Tours 南豐沙廠暨六廠紡織文化藝術館（CHAT 六廠）導賞團
Thu • 19 Sep 2019
‘Unsung Hero’ monolithic portrait created by celebrated Portuguese artist Alexandre Farto, internationally known under the alias Vhils; (Photo credit: http://www.themills.com.hk/en/)
The Mills is a landmark revitalization project by Nan Fung Group, a celebration of shared industrial legacy with Hong Kong, and a step towards a future of applied creativity and innovation. Hong Kong’s rich history of enterprise has its roots in the booming manufacturing era of the 1950s. It was during that time Nan Fung Textiles was founded and grew to become a cornerstone of the territory’s dominant textile industry. In the years since, Nan Fung Group has transformed itself into one of the largest privately held organizations in Hong Kong, well regarded in the areas of property development, investment services, and social values.
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Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong | 2019
Future Activities
Announced in 2014 by Nan Fung Group on its 60th anniversary, The Mills project aims to transform and revitalize the company’s former textile factories into a destination for innovation, culture and learning. The project was inspired by the desire to reinvent the way we think about development in Hong Kong - to honour history while building the future. In addition to being the origin of Nan Fung Textiles, the district has unique history and culture of its own. Home to a large number of families and young professionals, Tsuen Wan enjoys a fast growing and vibrant community.
The Speaker English-speaking docent of The Mills and CHAT.
Programme Docent: English-speaking Docent, The Mills and CHAT Date: Thu, 19 Sep 2019 Assembly Time: 14:15 Tour Starts: 14:30 Venue: The Mills, 45 Pak Tin Par Street, Tsuen Wan, N.T. Admission: RAS Members $100; Non-Members / Guests $150 Booking: Please email
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LECTURE
Trees of Hong Kong – the Art and the Science
Tue • 24 Sep 2019
In this talk, the speakers talk of their new book Portraits of Trees of Hong Kong and Southern China, for which Sally Bunker painted numerous original tree paintings. Some of these stunning paintings will be displayed at the talk.
By way of introduction, Sally explains how she became a botanical artist and what it has involved, illustrated by her original sketch books. Sally together with Professor Richard Saunders then discuss the rich tree diversity of Hong Kong and Southern China, and why this book is a heritage book for Hong Kong and a testament to the beauty and biodiversity we have in our city.
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Future Activities
The Speakers
Born in UK 1949, Sally Bunker came to HK with family 1979. A former School Principal and keen naturalist, always involved in many environmental issues in HK. Changed career 10 years ago to dedicate her time to botanical painting, in order to record the beauty of HK flora. After years of study and honing her artistic skills, was awarded Fellowship of the UK Society of Botanical Artists.
Has spent 7 years working alongside HKU to produce a definitive book of 100 of HK’s native trees, requiring much fieldwork and scientific study to mark seasonal changes and show the beauty of the trees.
Professor Richard Saunders is also from the United Kingdom and is Professor of Botany at the University of Hong Kong, where he has been a Lecturer since 1992. He did his BSc in Plant Biology at the University of St Andrews, MSc at the University of Reading and PhD at the University of Portsmouth. He is the author of eight books, 110 journal articles and 26 other book chapters on Botany. He is co-author of Portraits of Trees of Hong Kong and Southern China.
Programme Speaker: Sally Bunker and Prof Richard Saunders Date: Tue, 24 Sep 2019 Time: Reception desk opens at 6:30 p.m.; talk starts 7:00 p.m. Venue: Garden Suite, The Peninsula Hotel, Salisbury Road, Kowloon Admission: RAS Members $200; Non-Members / Guests $250 Booking: Please email
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Future Activities
LECTURE
Austronesian Asia: Hub of Global Commerce
Wed • 9 Oct 2019
The author defines this maritime and mercantile region of 400 million people, tracing its crucial role in the east-west exchange of goods and ideas over two millennia. Identifying its cultural, economic and linguistic commonalities he provides a sorely needed balance to Euro- and Sino- centric views of history.
The Speaker
Philip Bowring is a journalist based in Asia since 1973, variously as correspondent for the Financial Times, editor of the Far Eastern Economic Review, columnist for the International Herald Tribune and independent columnist and consultant on regional economic and political issues. He has an MA in History from Cambridge University where he is a Fellow Commoner of St Catharine’s College.
Programme Speaker: Philip Bowring Date: Wed, 9 Oct 2019 Time: Reception desk opens at 6:30 p.m.; talk starts 7:00 p.m. Venue: LT4, Centre for Visual Arts, 7A Kennedy Road, Mid-Levels Admission: RAS Members $100; Non-Members / Guests $150 Booking: Please email
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Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong | 2019
Future Activities
LOCAL VISIT
Po Leung Kuk Museum Guided Tour 保良局歷史博物館導賞團
Sat • 26 Oct 2019
Cultural Exhibition at the Po Leung Kuk Museum (Photo Courtesy Po Leung Kuk Museum website: https://www.poleungkuk.org.hk/en/service/po-leung-kuk-museum)
Since the establishment of Po Leung Kuk in the late 19th century by a group of local Chinese under the then Governor of Hong Kong, Sir John Pope Hennessy, K.C.M.G., the Kuk’s original existence has over the century evolved, in line with Hong Kong’s economic development, from a ‘Society for the Protection of Women and Children’ to one of today’s Hong Kong leaders in the provision of social service, education and fundraising.
Located in the headquarters of Po Leung Kuk in Causeway Bay, Po Leung Kuk Museum is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the charity’s cultural heritage. Through exhibitions, seminars and workshops, the Museum shares its century-long historical episodes to public through precious collections and unveils the Kuk’s connection with the Hong Kong society.
Members of RASHK will have the special privilege of an English-speaking guided tour on Saturday, 26th Oct 2019.
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Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong | 2019
Future Activities
The Docent English-speaking docent of the Po Leung Kuk Museum.
Programme Docent: English-speaking docent, Po Leung Kuk Museum Date: Sat, 26 Oct 2019 Assembly Time: 9:45 a.m. Tour Starts: 10:00 a.m. Venue: Po Leung Kuk Museum, 66 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Admission: Free-of-charge for RAS members & guests Booking: Please email
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Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong | 2019
Future Activities
LECTURE
George Chinnery - Friends, Fictions and Finances
Fri • 8 Nov 2019
Chinnery self-portrait sketch, c.1830. Credit: private collection. (Photo courtesy Martyn Gregory Gallery, London)
Was George Chinnery - that talented and sought-out artist of India and the China coast – hopelessly in debt for most of his long career? What were his relations with the thriving school of Cantonese ‘export’ painters? And did he embellish his autobiography in ways that have deceived biographers (and novelists) ever since?
The Speaker Formerly Keeper of Fine Art at the Royal Pavilion, Art Gallery and Museums, Brighton, Dr Patrick Conner is Director of the Martyn Gregory Gallery, London, specialists in historical paintings related to the China Trade. He is a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society and has curated a number of loan exhibitions in England and Hong Kong. His books include George Chinnery 1774-1852, artist of India and the China coast, and The Hongs of Canton - Western Merchants in South China 1700-1900. He is the presenter of the film ‘In the Footsteps of George Chinnery - an English artist in Macau’ (2017).
Programme Speaker: Patrick Connor Date: Fri, 8 Nov 2019 Time: Reception desk opens at 6:30 p.m.; talk starts 7:00 p.m. Venue: LT4, Centre for Visual Arts, 7A Kennedy Road, Mid-Levels Admission: RAS Members $100; Non-Members / Guests $150 Booking: Please email
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Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong | 2019
Recent Activities
Xiqu Centre Guided Tour
Docent: English-speaking docent, Xiqu Centre Date: Thu, 18 Jul 2019 Venue: Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon Cultural District, Kowloon
RASHK members and guests during the Xiqu Centre Guided Tour, Thu, 18 Jul 2019 (Photos courtesy Martin Merz)
Many of us have watched the emergence of this amazingly sculptured architectural landmark in West Kowloon Cultural District with interest and noted its formal opening earlier this year. There is much local interest in this new performing arts venue and bookings for group tours for individual organisations are fully taken up until February of next year. However, we managed to secure 10 tickets for RASHK members in a July tour, within the regular group tour for interested visitors.
In July on a very hot and humid summer afternoon a few of us gathered to join a 60-minute tour equipped with individual microphones, by a wonderfully well-informed English-speaking docent. She gave us a brief history of Chinese opera, some of its key concepts, as well as the building’s architectural features. The photo at the beginning of this RASHK Newsletter was taken during our visit and shows some of our members exploring the high and sweeping curves of the Xiqu Centre’s bright and cool internal atrium. In contrast the big theatre, with >1000 seats, is darkly furnished and acoustically sensitive. We were very fortunate to observe a rehearsal in progress and note some of the similarities and differences with western opera productions.
We were also able to visit a smaller 200 seat theatre, the stage embedded in a tea house setting, with balcony – familiar to anyone who likes watching old black and white Chinese movies. This is a venue for shorter performances of opera excerpts, accompanied by tea and dim sum - with details of performances available from the Centre’s website. There was a very obvious contrast with the vibrant bamboo street theatre opera set up we experienced in 2017 when we paid a memorable evening visit to the Hungry Ghost Festival held at Moreton Terrace, Causeway Way.
Feedback from those who attended the Xiqu Centre was very positive and, despite this being a weekday summer afternoon visit, we had a waitlist for attendance. For this reason, I plan to apply for a RASHK group visit early next year so that more of our members can appreciate this new permanent venue for Chinese opera.
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Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong | 2019
Recent Activities
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: A History of the World in 100 Objects from the British Museum
Docent: English-speaking docent, HKHM Date: Sat, 10 Aug 2019 Venue: Hong Kong Heritage Museum, 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
Photos courtesy Peter Rhodes
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Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong | 2019
Of General Interest
Curry Tiffin Lunch
Host: Michael Broom Date: Fri, 21 Jun 2019 Venue: Zetland Hall, 1 Kennedy Road, Mid-Levels
RASHK welcomed visitors Kristy Norman and Paul Bolding from Friends of RASHK in London, this Curry Tiffin Lunch were attended by Council & Activities Committee members.
Photos courtesy Michael Broom
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Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong | 2019
Of General Interest
Hong Kong Book Fair 30th Edition
RASHK Rep: Michael Broom Date: 17-23 Jul 2019 Venue: Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Mike Broom, our former president visited the Hong Kong Book Fair 30th Edition on the Society’s behalf. He was pictured below with Mr Edmund Chan, Associate Director of the City University Press. City University Press is currently working with the Ride Trust Fund in publishing some of our titles.
HKU Press and City University Press publish the majority of our RAS Hong Kong Study Series.
Photos courtesy Michael Broom & Ivy Ho
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Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong | 2019
Of General Interest
Hong Kong Victory Day Commemoration Ceremony 2019
RASHK Rep: Michael Broom Date: Sun, 11 Aug 2019 Venue: Shrine of Remembrance, City Hall, Central
On Sunday, 11th August our former President represented the Society and laid our wreath at the annual Hong Kong Victory Day Commemoration Ceremony 2019, held at the Shrine of Remembrance at City Hall, Central.
Photos courtesy Michael Broom 16
Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong | 2019
Of General Interest
St John’s Cathedral Shop
Arrangements have been made with St John’s Cathedral Bookshop for copies of RASHK journals Vols. 55 - 58 and the book ‘Hong Kong Going, Gone’ to be sold through the shop. It is hoped that Members will actively support this facility and encourage others to purchase Society publications from the Bookshop. Their email address is:
****** 2019 Membership Renewal
Members are reminded that renewals were due on 1 January 2019. If you currently pay by cheque and would prefer the convenience of paying by Direct Debit, please contact the Administrator for a Direct Debit Authorization form on
Annual Hong Kong Resident - Individual / Institutional HK$750 Hong Kong Resident - Joint / Family HK$1,100 Hong Kong Resident – Student* HK$50 * in full time education – please enclose a photocopy of your student ID. Life Life – Single HK$10,500 Life – Joint HK$15,400 Overseas Overseas - Annual HK$450 Overseas - Life HK$6,300
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Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong | 2019
Membership Renewal
Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch Membership Application Form 2019
Membership Application Form for 2019, please click here.
Direct Debit Authorisation Form, please click here.
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Publications
PUBLICATIONS ORDER FORM
Journals Price HK$ Qty Order Vols. 1 - 53 $50.00 each ______Vols. 54 - 58 $150.00 each ______
Books ‘Hong Kong Going and Gone’ $120.00 ______‘A Sense of Place: $300.00 Hong Kong West of Pottinger Street’ ______
Postage & Packaging within HK Overseas (surface/registered) ‘A Sense of Place: $55.00 $130.00 _____ Hong Kong West of Pottinger Street’ Full set of Journals $260.00 price on request _____ All other volumes (per volume) $25.00 $65.00 _____
TOTAL HK$ ______
Please send the order & cheque, payable to Royal Asiatic Society, Hong Kong Branch, to RASHKB, G.P.O. Box 3864, Hong Kong. We accept US$ or GBP cheques at exchange rates of US$1=HK$8 / GBP1=HK$11, but please also add US$15/ GBP10.50 per cheque to cover bank charges incurred in clearing your cheque.
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Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong | 2019
Publications
ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY HONG KONG STUDIES SERIES
There are now twenty-six titles in the Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Studies Series. The above is a small selection of the titles available. For full details, please go to our website
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Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong | 2019
Contact Details
COUNCIL MEMBERS CONTACT DETAILS
Position Name Phone Fax E-mail
President Vacant
Vice-President Dr Helen Tinsley 9034 2241 [email protected]
Immediate Past Mr Michael Broom 2719 4974 2719 4958 [email protected] President
Past President Mr Robert Nield 2540 0722 2335 5470 [email protected]
Past President Dr Patrick Hase 2658 6529 2658 5400 [email protected]
Hon. Secretary Mr David McKellar 2843 2493 2103 5996 [email protected]
Hon. Treasurer Ms Connie Carmichael 2994 2488 [email protected]
Hon. Librarian Ms Vivian So 2859 7011 2857 2048 [email protected]
Hon. Editor Dr Stephen Davies 3917 5034 [email protected]
Hon. Activities Dr Helen Tinsley 9034 2241 [email protected] Coordinator
Hon. Archivist Mr Yip Chun Man [email protected]
Council Member Mr Robert Bunker 9037 6407 [email protected]
Council Member Mr Roy Delbyck 2810 5777 [email protected]
Council Member Mr Donald Gasper 9187 8144 [email protected]
Council Member Dr Kwong Chi Man 6078 1951 [email protected]
Council Member Ms Davina Lee 9196 5934 [email protected]
OTHER USEFUL CONTACT Position Name Phone E-mail
Administrator Ms Ivy Ho 2234 5011 [email protected] (Part-time)
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