Lectures & Other Activities

The Mr. Simon Suen and Mrs. Mary Suen Sino-Humanitas Institute of Hong Kong Baptist University (hereinafter the Institute) was established in 2011. Over the past fifteen years, with the steadfast support of all sectors of the community, its foundations have grown ever stronger and its reputation has flourished. The Institute is dedicated to cultivating talent and building a high-level platform for academic dialogue; it is equally committed to the inheritance and promotion of the finest traditions of Chinese culture and arts.

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of Hong Kong Baptist University, the Institute successfully curated “Writing Culture with Brush and Ink - a Calligraphy Exhibition by Contemporary Chinese Scholars”. The opening ceremony was held on 12 August, and the exhibition runs until 21 August. In the Chinese cultural tradition, calligraphy is not merely a scholar’s skill; it is the very hallmark, taste and way of life of the learned. A number of participating scholars transcribed renowned masterpieces from the traditional canon; others presented their own poems and essays. Between brush and ink lies a wealth of profound learning, as well as a refined and lofty spirit and aesthetic pursuit. Nearly sixty scholars participated, hailing from more than thirty universities and research institutions in the Mainland and overseas. The eldest is ninety-one, the youngest is in their thirties, and among them there are many eminent scholars of outstanding achievement. It is truly a groundbreaking gathering of distinguished talents.

The opening ceremony was graced by Mrs. Mary Suen, MH, Honorary Director of the Institute; Dr. Chloe Suen, Chair of the Simon Suen Foundation; Dr. Louis Ng Chi-wa, HKBU Council Member and Museum Director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum; Ms. Fiona Cheung Sum Yu, MH, Chair of Forest Zone Limited and Founding President of the Hong Kong Jiangsu Women’s Association; Prof. Longxi Zhang, Xiaoxiang Chair Professor of Comparative Literature at Hunan Normal University; Prof. Pei-kai Cheng, MH, Chairman of the Hong Kong Branch of the China Folk Literature and Art Association; Prof. Daniel W.L. Lai, Dean of Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; Prof. Man Kong Wong, Director of the Academy of Chinese, History, Religion and Philosophy of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; Prof. Hongsheng Zhang, Chair Professor at Hong Kong Baptist University; and other distinguished guests.

In his ceremonial address, Prof. Wong remarked that culture carries the ideas and wisdom sublimated through the ages by its people, and that the mission of the humanities is to continually organise and interpret these priceless legacies, so that they may continue to radiate vitality in the present. He expressed heartfelt thanks for the strong support of the officiating guests, to the participating scholars for graciously contributing their calligraphic treasures, and to his colleagues at the Institute for their unity of purpose and tireless preparation. He also offered special thanks to Prof. Hongsheng Zhang, the exhibition’s curator, for his devoted efforts. He hopes that the Institute continue their important work, endowing the traditional cultural lineage with fresh vitality for our times, and to break new ground and scale new heights. The opening ceremony drew a full house of distinguished guests and was an unprecedented success. All present bore witness together to this historic moment imbued with humanistic meaning.

Video of the Opening Ceremony and the Exhibition is available to watch: https://youtu.be/tl-m2rs-B6U?si=iCc9luy_G7zCzinH