Life through a lens: new photography book brings different cultures that make Hong Kong a world city into focus
- Dear Hong Kong looks at the many influences at work in the city
- Those highlighted include founders of charities, cinematographers, and athletes
Growing up in Hong Kong, Aggie Lam did not interact much with people from other cultures. At school and university she noticed that Hongkongers, mainland Chinese, and non-Chinese students stuck together in their groups.
It was through her work in the education sector with a company that introduced students to other cultures, that the 26-year-old met Oskar Valles.
He had volunteered to share his Spanish culture with local students, and the idea for their Dear Hong Kong photography book was born.
Lam and Valles wanted to highlight the diversity of the city that is their home, and challenge stereotypes of what it is to be a Hongkonger.
More than 50 volunteers from 20 countries spent two years capturing stories and portraits of 80 people from around the world who call Hong Kong home. They aim to bring out a second volume to achieve a target of 150 nationalities.
Lam hopes the book can be a conversation starter, and spark a curiosity to learn about other people and other cultures.
“We might look different, but our experiences are similar … and feel relatable,” she says. “So my hope is the gap between the non-local communities and the local community can be bridged through the book.”
Apart from highlighting the cultures of people that live and work in Hong Kong, their aim was to also show inspiring people who have contributed to the city in some way.
Some of those included in the book are Phyllis Marwah (US), co-founder of Mother‘s Choice, Christopher Doyle (Australia), a renowned cinematographer, Jeff Rotmeyer (Canada), founder of ImpactHK and Love 21, Karis Teetan (Mauritius), a professional jockey, and Ajmal Samuel (Pakistan), a member of the HK Para-Rowing team.
Also featured was Romlah Rosidah, a domestic worker and leader in the Muslim community, who is part of the Indonesian Migrant Muslim Alliance.
The 40-year-old, who has lived in Hong Kong for twenty years, is also active in the community teaching Islam.
“I am happy to be included in this book and hope that Hongkongers will read my story and see me as just another human,” she says.
Hernan Zanghellini, originally from Chile, thought he would stay in the city for five years and will be celebrating his 25th year in 2021. The architect has designed more than 600 restaurants in Hong Kong and Asia, and believes in the book’s message of opening up people’s minds to other cultures.
“Every time you move to a new country you learn something new and your mind opens up,” he says. “When it opens you cannot close it. Here I can mix with or have friends from everywhere. You soak up a bit of the culture everywhere you go, and I think there are few cities where you can do that.”
Lam wants to use the book as the basis for a teaching guide for the next generation, and is in contact with a professor at the University of Hong Kong about using some of it in a local curriculum.
She believes while this type of content might be readily available at international schools, it might not be the case at local schools.
“In the book there are stories about identity, immigration as well social issues. We want to see if there are topics that teachers can use in their classes,” she says.
Also included in the book is Lance Lau, an 11-year-old, who was surprised to find there were many people from different cultures and backgrounds contributing to Hong Kong.
“There are so many pools of talent and culture – all on this tiny bit of land that is Hong Kong,” he says.
The bilingual book is sold online and at bookstores locations across the city. The non-profit society has organised exhibitions at public spaces, including Baptist University. Its exhibition at Lamma Art Collective runs until February 22.
