On April 19, an exhibition commemorating the birth centenaries of renowned Chinese Wuxia (martial arts) novelists Jin Yong (pen name of Louis Cha) and Liang Yusheng (pen name of Chen Wentong) kicked off at the ground floor exhibition hall of the Sun Yat-sen Library of Guangdong Province's themed pavilion, running until August 31.
Jin Yong and Liang Yusheng, along with Gu Long and Wen Rui'an, are hailed as the "Four Grandmasters of Chinese Wuxia Fiction". The exhibition showcases a diverse array of themed artifacts from the works of Jin Yong and Liang Yusheng, including manuscripts, newspapers with serialized novels, literary merchandise, audiobooks, and digital exhibits.
Notably, the centennial commemorative edition of Jin Yong's novel collection is making its debut at the exhibition.
Modernized formats such as e-books, novel adaptations, and radio dramas are integrated into the exhibition, alongside interactive reading zones and manga experience areas. Visitors can scan QR codes to listen to audiobooks and immerse themselves in the Wuxia experience through audio-reading devices and manga interactive installations.
Furthermore, in the exhibition hall and throughout the library's main branch on Wenming Road and the themed pavilion, visitors can explore various Wuxia-themed settings for photo opportunities.
Since the 1950s, the Wuxia works of Jin Yong and Liang Yusheng, as well as their film and television adaptations, have captivated audiences not only in China but also in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and beyond. This exhibition also features a diverse collection of foreign language translations of classic Wuxia novels.
Gigi Chang, translator of the English version of Jin Yong's "Legends of the Condor Heroes" and "A Past Unearthed Return of the Condor Heroes", believed that overseas readers could readily embrace the martial arts settings and they were drawn in by the novels' rich backgrounds and traditional cultural elements.
Since 2018, Chang's English translations of "Legends of the Condor Heroes" have been successively published in Europe and the United States, with over 100,000 copies distributed by the MacLehose Press in the UK alone.
Xu Yulan, sub-librarian of the Sun Yat-Sen Library of Guangdong Province, pointed out that Wuxia novels constituted a unique literary genre in China, embodying the spirit and cultural temperament of Chinese people's valor and righteousness.
"We hope that through this exhibition, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the creative journeys of these two masters, stepping into the Chinese Wuxia world," Xu said.
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