2024 marks the centenary of the birth of Jin Yong (Dr Louis Cha), a literary giant in Chinese literature. "Wherever there are Chinese people, Jin Yong's world of ‘wuxia' can be found." Throughout his life, Jin Yong created a total of 15 martial arts novels and shaped over 1,400 characters. His works have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and been translated into 14 different languages. Using martial arts fiction as a medium, Jin Yong's works integrate elements of culture, history, religion, and morality, exploring the complexity of human relationships, love, and hatred. They are literary treasures, immortal classics, and guiding beacons in life. With profound humanistic, social, and artistic values, they not only appeal to the wide audience but have also had a far-reaching impact on the global literary world, meriting a place among classic works of literature in China and even the world.
In celebration of Jin Yong's centenary and in the hometown of his martial arts novels, "A Path to Glory – Jin Yong's Centennial Memorial" encompasses culture, art, creativity, heritage, and education, paying tribute to the master of martial arts fiction, Jin Yong, and commemorating his legacy. The event aims to evoke the collective memories of Hong Kong people and engage them once again in Jin Yong's fascinating world of martial arts. It is also expected to encourage the younger generation to learn about Chinese literary classics and draw inspiration from the resilient spirit of Jin Yong as a literary giant.
The event's theme is taken from a message Guo Jing delivered to Yang Guo in The Giant Eagle and its Companion — "To serve, is a path to glory". This phrase is a true portrayal of the heroes and heroines in Jin Yong's novels and their relentless pursuit deep inside their hearts. Achieving the greatness of chivalry is not a goal in itself, but rather a journey of personal growth. If we are patriotic and devoted to serving the country and its people, we will eventually become true embodiments of chivalry.
The event will span six months and involve collaborations with the Hong Kong International Airport, tourist attractions, and cultural landmarks. Through a series of museum and public art exhibitions that encompass culture, art, creativity, heritage, and education, the event aims to gather martial arts enthusiasts worldwide to relive the classics and pay tribute to the timeless legacy of Jin Yong.