On October 15, Professor Louis Kwok Lit Yu, invited by Dean Tze-ki Hon, led a workshop titled “How Does a City Create Culture?” in FHSS. Moderated by Dr. Kar Bo Wong, the session brought together over twenty students to delve into the intricate relationship between culture and urban development.

As a former Principal of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and the Executive Director of Performing Arts at the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, Professor Yu drew on decades of experience in cultural administration and urban planning. His insights enriched the workshop, offering participants a profound understanding of how culture and city life intersect and evolve.

The session opened with the thought-provoking question, “What is culture?” This sparked engaging discussions and encouraged students to critically reflect on the concept. Under Professor Yu’s guidance, participants worked collaboratively to create a “Cultural Spectrum Map” of Zhuhai, a unique and creative exercise that brought theory to life.

The resulting map vividly illustrated Zhuhai’s diverse cultural identity, tracing its transformation from a traditional fishing village with a heritage of folk crafts to a modern hub of industrial culture and a growing creative arts scene. The exercise allowed students to translate abstract cultural concepts into a concrete, visually striking representation of the city’s cultural landscape.

The workshop not only deepened participants’ understanding of Zhuhai’s cultural identity but also bridged the gap between academic theory and real-world urban cultural development. It provided a platform for students to share fresh perspectives and contribute meaningfully to the ongoing conversation about the role of culture in shaping cities.

This workshop is sponsored by "Rushing to the Top, Making Up Shortcomings and Strengthening Special Features" project.

Written by: Zhang Yuxuan

Photos by: Zhang Yuxuan, Lu Guanzhong

Edited by: Kar Bo WONG