Southbound intellectuals had had a profound impact on the heritage and evolution of traditional Chinese culture in Hong Kong over the past century since the late Qing and Republican era. These Lingnan literati established schools and other educational institutions for nurturing talents, founded literary societies and poetry gatherings to facilitate literary expression and exchange, and celebrated the humanity and integrity of the traditional ideal Chinese scholar. They also launched newspapers and magazines and organised exhibitions to preserve and promote the traditional Chinese culture in Hong Kong. The rich and enduring legacy of the traditional Chinese classics, art, and literature followed the southbound journey of these intellectuals to Hong Kong and flourished in the city.

This exhibition aimed at exploring the Lingnan literati’s stories and their contribution to a century of Hong Kong education. It included four sections: the first section introduced the lives of the 20 southern Lingnan literati; the second section traced their footprints in Hong Kong; the third section presented their educational and cultural activities; the fourth exhibition area displayed their rare publications and manuscripts, as well as calligraphy and paintings.

It is hoped that by reviewing the development of traditional Chinese culture education in Hong Kong, the exhibition can inspire the next generation of students to continue to promote the prosperity of Chinese culture and humanistic traditions.