Hong Kong literature museum to open in historical building in June, Urban Renewal Authority says
- Urban Renewal Authority managing director Wai Chi-sing says new museum celebrating Hong Kong literature will be housed at 7 Mallory Street in Wan Chai
- Announcement of museum’s establishment last year made waves as many renowned members of local literary community were not engaged or informed by authorities
A museum dedicated to Hong Kong literature will be housed in a historical building in Wan Chai and will open to the public in June, the Urban Renewal Authority has said.
Wai Chi-sing, the managing director of the authority, revealed fresh details about the new Museum of Hong Kong Literature on Sunday, part of a wider push for the city to become an East-meets-West centre for cultural exchange.
The museum will be on the third floor of 7 Mallory Street, a cluster of 10 “grade II historic buildings” built in the 1910s which has been revitalised into a catering, retail and event space where exhibitions, workshops and movie screenings are held.
The Federation of Hong Kong Writers will operate the museum, which is funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Wai said the venue would introduce the public to the development of local literature and display precious manuscripts, publications and copies of works signed by writers in a series of interactive installations.
Academics specialising in Hong Kong literature will also be invited to give talks.
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The opening exhibition will focus on flowers commonly seen in literary works, with floral installations placed in the public area of the building to create a “literary garden”.
Wai said other efforts to promote art and culture in the pipeline included a plan in Kowloon City to create large-scale murals with elements from the Thai and Chiu Chow communities – the two major ethnic minority groups in the area – as well as themed walks in Central and Western districts.
The establishment of the museum was first announced last year by Poon Yiu-ming, chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Writers, at a book fair event.
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Poon is a member of the city’s Election Committee after he was nominated by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Hong Kong Members Association in the wake of changes to the electoral system in 2021 to ensure only “patriots” could hold office.
The announcement of the museum’s creation sparked controversy in the city’s literary world last year as many renowned members were not engaged or informed by the government.
The Chinese name of the museum has also drawn comparisons to an established non-profit group known as The House of Hong Kong Literature, which has promoted the city’s literature over the past decade.
The group said it was not consulted over the new museum.
