The Public Lectures Series presented three distinct thematic lectures, portraying the unique literary landscape in which Lingnan rejuvenated its cultural heritage, establishing links between the local and global communities, and harmonizing the aesthetics of the classical and the vernacular creations. Through these vivid presentations, the series highlighted the enduring vitality of the Cantonese language and literature across centuries. This public lecture series was part of the 4th Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival and also one of the activities in the Chinese Culture Promotion Series, covering topics from the late Qing dynasty to the 1990s. The themes ranged from gatherings of Lingnan scholars to learning foreign languages and the evolution of Cantonese literature.

For the first lecture, Dr. Ching Chung Shan from Department of Language and Literature at CUHK presented on “Literary Gathering and Exchange: The Story of Kam Shan Literary Society in Hong Kong (1972–1991)”. Dr. Ching introduced the tradition of “Xiuxi” and discussed the preparation, establishment, operation, and influence of the Kam Shan Literary Society. “Xiuxi” refers to traditional activities on the third day of the third lunar month and pray for blessings. From 1972 to 1991, the society, led by scholar-merchants such as Chen Boqi and Liang Yaoming, held gatherings where literati drank, composed poems, and engaged in calligraphy, painting, music, and chess. These gatherings not only aimed to purify and commemorate the famous Orchid Pavilion gathering of the Eastern Jin dynasty but also became a significant event in Hong Kong’s literary scene, promoting classical poetry, calligraphy, and painting. Dr. Ching also led the audience in appreciating the literary works of the Kam Shan Literary Society and his own writings.

For the second lecture, Dr. Michelle Jia Ye from General Education China Programme at CUHK discussed “Dictionaries, Textbooks and Periodicals: Foreign Language Learning of Lingnan Literati in Hong Kong and Macau in Late Qing”. In the late Qing period of China, Hong Kong and Macau were the origins and nexus of exchange for the bourgeoning print culture, which was represented by the surge of new types of publications. Diverse Cantonese merchants-oriented bilingual dictionaries were published there, such as The Chinese and English Instructor published in Canton (《英語集全》) with a preface by Tong Ting-kü (唐廷樞). These bilingual dictionaries, along with new textbooks and periodicals, made Lingnan literati capable of foreign languages, fostering a generation of Cantonese bilingual intellectuals connecting to the world.

For the third lecture, Prof. Puk Wing Kin from the Department of History at CUHK talked about “Cantonese Literature from the Late Qing to the Republican Era: On Liao Entao’s Xixiao ji”. Prof. Puk started by comparing the relationship between dialect and national language in the works of Lu Xun and Jin Yong, and then introduced examples of Cantonese literature. Using Xixiao ji by Liao Entao (1865–1954) as a case study, he pointed out how Cantonese literature blended the elegance and formality of classical Chinese literature with the humour and colloquialism of Cantonese, while retaining the traditional literary forms.

The lectures took place at the Lecture Theatre of the Hong Kong Central Library, each attracting an audience of more than a hundred attendees, including scholars, students, and members of the public from both mainland China and Hong Kong. There were lively interactions between the speakers and the audience, who asked questions, commented on the lectures, and actively shared their experiences and insights on studying literary works.