'Sometimes it seems we have forgotten that traditional Chinese martial artists were not gifted with powers of flight and telekinetic abilities but were warriors - men and women who fought and died in bloody battles and wars,' says Duncan Jepson, creative and production director of the multi-media exhibition.

While the origins of martial arts can be traced back thousands of years, the exhibition explores its development from 1911, when the Republic of China was established. 'There is a huge amount of mysticism when people talk about and perceive martial arts,' says Hing Chao, chief executive and managing director of the International Guoshu Association.

'Fundamental values such as respect and non-violence, and the use of martial arts to promote social harmony, have been forgotten in the process of the development of martial arts in film and comics. Our aim is to place Chinese martial arts in the proper context.'

This is done through a variety of mediums, including design, text, film and installations. A key installation, a three-metre-long, two-metre-high tunnel displaying a mosaic of photographs from the 1900s, will depict the rebellion and fall of the Qing government and introduce three celebrated martial artists: Sun Lutang, Ma Fengtu and Lam Saiwing.

Film clips will show various styles of indigenous martial arts such as Ba Gua (above) that have been lost or forgotten.

'Once you get in there, you can see what real martial artists really did,' says Jepson.

Spirit of a Nation is one of four events in the Hong Kong International Kung Fu Festival 2009, which also comprises a guoshu competition, kung fu carnival and martial studies symposium.

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