Upcoming Events
Purple Phoenix, Yellow Dragon: Continuing Cultural Heritage
From March 12 to 14, 2025, the Hong Kong Baptist University Jao Tsung-I Academy of Sinology, in partnership with Fudan University’s Institute for Preservation and Conservation of Chinese Ancient Books, hosted five specialized lectures under the theme “Purple Phoenix, Yellow Dragon: Ancient Book Restoration and Cultural Heritage.” The event has attracted over 450 online attendees and 270 on-site participants, including experts working on various special collections in Hong Kong and Macau university libraries, directors of historical archives and cataloging centers, as well as museum technicians and volunteers. The lectures focused on the restoration and preservation of ancient texts, incorporating interdisciplinary expertise from literary studies, historical analysis, artisan skills, and cultural conservation. This initiative has significantly increased public interest in the preservation of ancient books and the transmission of associated skills. It highlights the importance and sustainability of protecting cultural heritage. Moreover, it fosters dialogue and collaboration between academia, professional restorers, and the public, supporting the exchange and innovation of techniques in ancient book restoration.
Lecture Review：
Chen Long: Day-to-day Preservation of Paper Documents (March 12)
Chen Long, the Deputy Director of the Jiangyin Municipal Museum in Jiangsu Province, delivered an online presentation on the composition of paper documents, their storage and display methods, and the potential damages they may encounter. He emphasized that maintaining constant temperature and humidity is not a foolproof solution; protection measures should be adapted flexibly according to the environment. Moreover, the preservation of documents must incorporate technological restoration alongside routine inspections, adopting a proactive strategy to preemptively address issues before they occur.
The lecture was well-received by the online participants; audience feedback highlighted that Chen’s talk balanced both theory and practice, deepening the understanding of preventive protection strategies and providing practical recommendations for the everyday maintenance of paper documents.
HKBUtube: https://hkbutube.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/inner.php?id=BTS-101227
Bilibili: https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1wvoYYEEQL/?share_source=copy_web
Qiu Xiaogang: The Relationship Between Traditional Restoration and Paper Pulp Restoration (March 12)
As an instructor at the Jiangsu Section of the National Center for National Ancient Book Restoration Techniques and a representative for the Jiangsu Intangible Cultural Heritage Project in ancient book restoration, Qiu Xiaogang brings over four decades of experience to this field. In his lecture, he examined the limitations of traditional restoration methods and highlighted the benefits of paper pulp restoration concerning preservation, safeguarding, and preventative maintenance. Qiu asserted that restoring paper with pulp could better match the characteristics of the paper in ancient manuscripts, thus decreasing interference with the original material and minimizing additional damage, which subsequently improved restoration effectiveness. He emphasized the importance of integrating traditional restoration approaches with paper pulp techniques, utilizing the advantages of each to effectively meet modern restoration and preservation needs. Restoration experts attending the lecture noted that Mr. Qiu emphasized the seamless blend of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary technology. His presentation gave professionals a better understanding of how different restoration technologies can be applied and offered valuable insights for addressing a variety of restoration challenges in their future projects.
HKBUtube: https://hkbutube.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/inner.php?id=BTS-101228
Bilibili: https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV17PoYYzELJ/?share_source=copy_web
Li Yan: Internationalization of Ancient Book Protection: UBC Library Experience and Insights (March 13)
As a librarian and specialist in ancient book restoration at Fudan University, Li Yan used her hands-on restoration experience gained at the University of British Columbia to investigate the challenges and possibilities of globalizing ancient book preservation. During her lecture, she highlighted that experiences from abroad in safeguarding ancient books can aid in globalizing Chinese restoration standards and promote technical exchanges. Moreover, she elaborated on the scientific methodologies for the restoration of folded ancient manuscripts, highlighting the importance of data analysis and meticulous documentation of the restoration process. A special collections librarian observed that Li Yan's presentation offered a clearer understanding of global standards for the preservation of ancient texts and shared advanced knowledge, which will provide theoretical guidance for the future management and maintenance of special collections.
HKBUtube: https://hkbutube.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/inner.php?id=BTS-101229
Bilibili: https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1HRoaY1Enk/?share_source=copy_web
Paul Hsieh: The Scientific Restoration and Conservation of Ancient Books and Paintings Affected by Mildew (March 13)
Paul Hsieh, an associate researcher and specialist in book restoration, utilized the Republican-era work "Selected Texts from the Open Pages" as a case study to illustrate scientific techniques for restoring ancient books affected by mildew. He identified the shortcomings of conventional mildew remediation methods and illustrated the application of calcium hydroxide, sodium borohydride, and hydrogen peroxide for the purposes of deacidification, stain elimination, and bleaching. Hsieh stressed the importance of testing the longevity of paper and ensuring the safe use of chemical agents. He also underscored the significance of environmental regulation, promoting a balanced interaction with microbes to prolong the lifespan of ancient texts through appropriate control of temperature and humidity, alongside frequent reading. Librarians commended Hsieh's presentation for effectively connecting tradition with science and technology with the humanities, offering them a wider view on the prospects of ancient book restoration. They also showed enthusiasm for additional interdisciplinary collaboration and hands-on exchanges with Hsieh and the Institute.
CHUNG Tat Chi, Andrew : Conservation Work of Rare Books – The Chemical Principle
Lesley LIU: Frequent Deterioration Issues in Hong Kong's Historical Archives and a Case Study on the Preservation of the Hong Kong Chinese Merchants Collection at the University of Hong Kong Libraries (March 14)
Andrew Chung, serving as Assistant Curator I in Conservation for Historical Documents and Manuscripts at the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, undertook a detailed chemical examination of the impact of acidic substances on paper fibers. He explained how deacidification methods can decelerate the aging of rare books. Furthermore, he introduced scientific approaches for stain removal and evaluated how custom adhesives affect documents, offering a chemical insight into the scientific foundation of restoration activities.
HKBUtube: https://hkbutube.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/inner.php?id=BTS-101230
Bilibili: https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1hjoYY8Ebz/?share_source=copy_web
Lesley Liu, Director at the Preservation and Conservation Center of the University of Hong Kong Libraries, conducted an analysis of various restoration instances to elucidate common damage scenarios impacting the historical archives of Hong Kong. Her examination centered on the restoration of the Hong Kong Chinese Merchants Collection, presented as a case study that elaborated on the restoration methodology. This included a thorough condition assessment, an analysis of the challenges encountered, the formulation of solutions, and the application of both Eastern and Western techniques in paper restoration. The purpose of her lecture was to augment public understanding and appreciation of ancient book heritage and to promote the preservation of traditional cultural practices
HKBUtube: https://hkbutube.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/inner.php?id=BTS-101231
Bilibili: https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1YGoYYAEsh/?share_source=copy_web
The archivist colleagues observed that both presenters effectively articulated the varied dimensions of ancient book restoration, addressing both scientific theories and practical applications. They offered attendees an opportunity to engage with the latest restoration concepts and technologies and simultaneously created an environment for thorough discussion on harmonizing technical advancements with the conservation of cultural heritage.
To offer participants a deeper and more comprehensive cultural experience, the Academy also presents the exhibition "The Art and Science of Conservation: Unlocking the Secrets of Conservation in 10 minutes," curated by the Conservation Office of the Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Spanning seven weeks, this exhibition is focused on the theme of "preservation," outlining preventive strategies for the protection of ancient books. Employing vivid visual illustrations and comprehensive textual explanations, it highlights the intricate processes and extraordinary skill required to restore damaged historical documents. Officially inaugurated on March 10, individuals interested in restoration work are encouraged to visit the Academy.
The Art and Science of Conservation: Unlocking the Secrets of Conservation in 10 minutes
Acknowledgement: Conservation Office, Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Exhibition Date and Time: 10:00-17:00, 10 March to 25 April 2025
Exhibition Venue: Hong Kong Baptist University Jao Tsung-I Academy of Sinology (7/F, Shaw Tower, Shaw Campus)
"Purple Phoenix, Yellow Dragon" serves as a metaphor for the ongoing renewal and transmission of ancient texts, symbolizing the continuous revival of historical manuscripts and the enduring nature of human civilization. This initiative has garnered significant support from the Institute for Preservation and Conservation of Chinese Ancient Books at Fudan University, the Conservation Office of the Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department, as well as the Research Development Office and the Department of Chemistry at Hong Kong Baptist University. The Jao Tsung-I Academy is particularly grateful to the invited consultant, Mr Lam Cheung-chung, for his strategic planning and guidance, as well as to Professor Yang Guanghui, the Executive Deputy Director of the Institute, for leading the lecture series. Their dedication to the preservation of ancient texts and their support for the lectures have provided immense inspiration and benefits to the participants. Moving forward, the Academy is committed to vigorously advancing academic research and the dissemination of public knowledge, aiming to make significant contributions to cultural heritage conservation and the transmission of our invaluable cultural legacy.
