Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum – The awakening of a generation

26/4/2019 – 25/8/2019
Exhibition Gallery, 1/F,
Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum

Jointly presented by
Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Beijing Lu Xun Museum (The New Culture Movement Memorial of Beijing)

Organized by
Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum

The New Culture Movement, initiated by intellectuals Chen Duxiu, Hu Shih and Lu Xun among others, began in 1915. By advocating the enlightenment ideas of democracy, science, freedom, and equality, the intellectuals inspired a thought revolution among students in China. The country’s diplomatic setback at the Paris Peace Conference after the end of the First World War sparked a rally and demonstration by Beijing students on 4 May 1919. The demonstration quickly developed into the nationwide patriotic movement supported by all walks of society. Following the movement, social reform became a new slogan for solving the problems faced by China at a time when the country was swept by new thoughts. The New Culture Movement facilitated the May Fourth Movement, and the May Fourth Movement set the New Culture Movement on the road to its apex. The intricately related movements blossomed and left a deep mark in various areas of Chinese society.

This year marks the centenary of the May Fourth Movement. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department sought a partnership with the Beijing Lu Xun Museum (New Culture Movement Memorial of Beijing) in jointly organizing this exhibition. By showcasing relics on loan from Beijing alongside collection items from the Hong Kong Museum of History, the exhibition revisits the movement which aptly illustrated the patriotism and national awareness of the Chinese people and investigates its influence on and contribution to the development of modern China.

In addition, through artworks created by teacher and students of the Academy of Visual Arts of the Hong Kong Baptist University, along with the multimedia programme, visitors will learn about the development of the May Fourth Movement in Hong Kong in 1919 as well as contemporary students’ reflections and thoughts on the movement.

Public Guided Tours (in Cantonese)

Every Sat, Sun and public holidays
(starting from 1 May 2019)
3-4pm
20 persons per session; first come, first served
Meeting Point: Entrance to Exhibition Gallery, 1/F

About the gallery

Dr. Sun Yat-sen was a world-renowned revolutionary who devoted his entire life to overthrowing the Qing Dynasty and setting up the Republic of China. His achievements were recognized and admired not only by the local and overseas Chinese but also by the global community. Dr. Sun had a close relationship with Hong Kong, where he received his secondary and university education. Hong Kong was also the cradle of his revolutionary thoughts and uprising plans.

Opened to the public in 2006, the four-story Museum has a floor area of 2,560 square meters. The Museum has two permanent exhibitions displaying a number of precious historical artifacts. Supplemented by a wide range of audiovisual programmes, the Museum gives a comprehensive overview of the life and career of Dr. Sun, and Hong Kong’s vital role in the reform movements and revolutionary activities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum highlights Dr. Sun’s intimate connections with Hong Kong so that local citizens and overseas tourists alike will be able to reminisce about the activities of this great Chinese statesman.

Built in 1914, the Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum is located in the Kom Tong Hall, originally the residence of the local businessman Ho Kom-tong. Being a typical Edwardian Classical building, this building has the facade surrounded by the Greek-style granite columns. Inside the premises are preserved the stained-glass windows, balcony wall tiles and staircase railings in good condition. Kom Tong Hall was among the earliest residential buildings constructed with a reinforced concrete structure and fitted with concealed electrical wiring in Hong Kong. It is also one of the best-preserved buildings dating back to the early 20th century Hong Kong. It has been listed as a declared monument in Hong Kong since 2010.

In his youth, Dr. Sun Yat-sen received his secondary and university education in Hong Kong. He even stated that his revolutionary thoughts were nurtured in Hong Kong. This is why the Museum depicts the bronze statue of Dr. Sun as a young man full of ambition and vitality during his student days.

The bronze statue depicts Dr. Sun holding Chinese and Western books in his hands. This not only highlights Dr. Sun as a book lover but also a man of great learning in both Chinese and English and filled with ambition to save the country and its people.

Under the craftsmanship of a local sculptor, Mr. Chu Tat-shing, this bronze statue brings Dr. Sun to life before our eyes.