Hong Kong literature has never been absent during significant turning points in its history. However, the literature of early 1980s Hong Kong has received comparatively less attention than that of the Cold War period. In reality, this period marked a crucial transitional moment in post-war Hong Kong development, and the literary works produced during this time serve as important reminders for today’s readers. A careful re-examination of these texts may provide insights into understanding Hong Kong.

Following a series of social upheavals, Hong Kong society began to stabilize in the early 1980s, with a burgeoning economy leading to a more secure lifestyle for its citizens. Simultaneously, the impending 1997 handover emerged as a vital topic of discussion. On the other hand, mainland China was emerging from a decade of the Cultural Revolution and embarking on a path of reform and opening-up. In this context, Hong Kong residents reacquaint a "long-lost" mainland China while continuing their exploration of future possibilities. This study focuses on the works of Hong Kong writers such as Xi Xi (1937-2022), Sin Ki-shi (1950-), and Tang Hsiu-yu (1951-) during the early 1980s. It will also consider the evolution of literary journals and changes in the book publishing environment of the 1970s and 1980s, exploring how Hong Kong literature manifested in this critical period and its subsequent impact on the development of literature in Hong Kong.

Authors:
Chi Kum Hung, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Hung Chi Kum is currently a senior lecturer at Hong Kong Baptist University, specializes in Hong Kong literature and culture, journals and newspaper studies, oral history, and archival work.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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