"The Awakening of a Generation: The May Fourth and New Culture Movement" Exhibition

The New Culture Movement, initiated by intellectuals Chen Duxiu, Hu Shih and Lu Xun among others, began in 1915. By advocating the enlightenment ideas of democracy, science, freedom and equality, the intellectuals inspired a thought revolution among students in China. The country's diplomatic setback at the Paris Peace Conference after the end of the First World War sparked a rally and demonstration by Beijing students on 4 May 1919. The demonstration quickly developed into the nationwide patriotic movement supported by all walks of society. Following the movement, social reform became a new slogan for solving the problems faced by China at a time when the country was swept by new thoughts. The New Culture Movement facilitated the May Fourth Movement, and the May Fourth Movement set the New Culture Movement on the road to its apex. The intricately related movements blossomed and left a deep mark in various areas of Chinese society.

This year marks the centenary of the May Fourth Movement. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department sought a partnership with the Beijing Lu Xun Museum (New Culture Movement Memorial of Beijing) in jointly organising this exhibition. By showcasing relics on loan from Beijing alongside collection items from the Hong Kong Museum of History, the exhibition revisits the movement which aptly illustrated the patriotism and national awareness of the Chinese people, and investigates its influence on and contribution to the development of modern China.

In addition, through artworks created by teacher and students of the Academy of Visual Arts of the Hong Kong Baptist University, along with the multimedia programme, visitors will learn about the development of the May Fourth Movement in Hong Kong in 1919 as well as contemporary students' reflections and thoughts on the movement.