Hong Kong Celebrates Jin Yong with Bronze Sculptures by Artist Ren Zhe

March marked the centenary of the birth of Jin Yong (Dr Louis Cha), a literary giant in Chinese literature whose works have been read by schoolchildren and scholars from all around the world. A leading Chinese martial arts novelist, Dr Cha had written 15 martial arts novels, created over 1,400 characters, and built fantasy worlds that are so well-beloved his books have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and been translated into 14 different languages.

On Jin Yong’s lunar birthday last month, Hong Kong kicked off the first officially sanctioned commemoration of the author – our city is his birthplace after all. The citywide celebration sees two concurrent exhibitions happening in Hong Kong. The first opened on March 15 at Edinburgh Place in Central, “A Path to Glory – Jin Yong’s Centennial Memorial • The World of Wuxia”, which displays ten sculptures of his most memorable characters created by sculptor Ren Zhe. The exhibition runs until July 2, 2024 and is free to public.

The other exhibition, located at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum in Sha Tin, opened on March 16 and runs until October 7, 2024. Also open to the public with free admission, “A Path to Glory – Jin Yong’s Centennial Memorial, Sculpted by Ren Zhe” includes 22 sculptures of the author’s iconic characters.

At the opening ceremony, Ren Zhe’s latest work is also revealed – a sculpture in the likeness of Jin Yong himself, generously donated by Dr Cha’s family, Andrew Cha and Edna Cha. The statue will be kept at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum as part of its permanent collection.

Mr William Fong, the exhibition’s curator, says, “Beneath the Lion Rock, this city is Jin Yong’s home and the stage for his extraordinary achievements. Jin Yong exuded an unquenchable passion for life, which showed in his lifelong yearning for freedom and his unbounded romanticism. May we possess fearless hearts, resembling swords, carry forward Jin Yong’s indomitable spirit which guides us onwards, and construct an everlasting memorial with unyielding commitment to these ideals. Let the flame of chivalry continue to illuminate the path for future generations, allowing humanity to shine at all times.”