Reimagining Dunhuang’s Brilliance Across Time: HKU Library to Host Dunhuang Art Exhibition and Culture Festival | Orange News

Dunhuang stands as both a witness of history and a dreamer of artistry—where the wisdom of the Buddha and the aspirations of ordinary people intertwine, giving rise to a universe of art that dances between reality and illusion. Starting from June 7, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) Libraries, in collaboration with the Chamber of Young Snow, will hold the Chinese Arts in the Fragrant Harbour‘s Embrace Culture Festival. The festival is themed around Dunhuang culture and features a vibrant array of activities, such as lectures on Buddhist aesthetics, the Dunhuang Exhibition Forum, lacquer fan workshops, guqin music performances, as well as Peking, Kunqu, and Cantonese opera shows, inviting the public to discover the cultural treasures of Dreamlike Dunhuang.

Dreamlike Dunhuang: Exhibition Overview

From June to September, HKU Libraries will co-host the “Dreamlike Dunhuang: Recreating the Grandeur of Dunhuang” Art and Culture Exhibition with the Chamber of Young Snow and the Dunhuang Academy, establishing itself as the first higher education institution in Hong Kong to present a major Dunhuang exhibition. The exhibition takes “Dreamlike Dunhuang: Recreating the Grandeur of Dunhuang” as its theme, reflecting on the Buddhist metaphors of “dream” and “emptiness,” and showcasing the aesthetic fusion of faith and the secular, illusion and reality within Dunhuang art. The event also symbolizes the spiritual transmission of Chinese culture across time and space, allowing audiences to embark on a journey that touches both the eye and the heart.

Ceremonies, Forums, and Featured Lectures

The exhibition’s opening ceremony will take place on the afternoon of June 7 at HKU Libraries. It will be followed by a keynote lecture titled “Boundless Pure Land: Exploring Buddhist Philosophy and Aesthetics in Dunhuang,” presented by Dr. Cui Zhonghui of the HKU Centre of Buddhist Studies, with Zhao Shengliang from the Dunhuang Academy and Sun Hanming, founder of the Chamber of Young Snow, as speakers. Together, they will delve into the intersections of Buddhist philosophy and aesthetics in Dunhuang, revealing multiple perspectives on its profound cultural significance.

Festival Program Highlights

Throughout the festival, a series of public lectures and performance events will unfold:

• June 10: Dialogue Across Time and Space: The Enchanting Dunhuang Exhibition Talk, led by Zhao Shengliang, will explore the historical narratives and artistic language embodied in the exhibition.
• June 11: Focusing on Chinese painting and calligraphy, topics will include the evolution of xuan paper, an introduction to art appreciation, and experiences in becoming a collector, featuring experts such as Liu Wenjie, Wu Lili, Gong Min, and Deng Haichao.

Art and Performance Evenings

• June 14: Interwoven Harmonies: An Evening of Guqin Mastery will be held at the Rayson Huang Lecture Theatre, featuring renowned guqin masters Rong Kezhi and Xie Junren. They will guide the audience through the refined elegance of ancient literati music.
• June 19: Quintessence Revived: The Resonance of Peking, Kunqu, and Cantonese Opera will grace the Grand Hall of the Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre at HKU. The performance brings together the three operatic treasures performed by Han Yijia, Zhang Jun, and Guo Fengnv, accompanied by in-depth expert commentary on the art’s regional and cultural depth.

Experiencing Traditional Craft

• July 4–5: Reimagining Traditions: Lacquers Modern Odyssey on Fans Workshop will offer participants a hands-on experience with Chinese intangible heritage lacquer crafts. Using the “floating lacquer” technique, attendees will create unique art fans, blending tradition with innovation in a meaningful, interactive way.

For further details and registration for the festival programs, please refer to the event website or contact the organizers on their social media platforms.

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