Call for Papers: Preserving, Producing, and Circulating Cultures, Arts and Languages of Hong Kong, 13-14 June 2024, University of Sheffield

With the migration of numerous Hong Kong scholars and artists, there is a pressing need to discuss and dissect the global dynamics of Hong Kong cultures and arts, and their salient impact on local and diasporic communities.

This workshop seeks to shed light on the intricate interplay of Hong Kong's rich cultural and artistic tapestry. We are particularly interested in explorations around the following potential themes within the fields of arts and humanities:

• Identity and Expression: How do Hong Kong artists navigate and negotiate their identities through art, cultural, and linguistic initiatives? What are the creative mediums and narratives employed?

• Diasporic Identities: In what ways do cultural activities and events consolidate or challenge Hong Kong diasporic identities?

• Transformation and Assimilation: How are Hong Kong's arts, cultures, and languages being transformed, redefined, or assimilated in host countries and communities?

• Cultural Preservation: Methods and challenges of preserving authentic Hong Kong arts, cultures, and languages.

• Cross-cultural Dialogues: Collaborative initiatives between Hong Kong artists and their host communities; the outcomes and revelations.

• Economic and Social Dimensions: How does the circulation of Hong Kong arts, cultures, and languages influence economic and social spheres?

• Audiences and Reception: The reception of Hong Kong arts, cultures and languages within the audiences of host countries and communities – challenges, successes, and nuances.

• Spaces of Exhibition: Exploration of spaces – both physical and digital – that become the epicentre of showcasing Hong Kong arts, cultures and languages.

• Media and Digital Transformations: The role of digital media in propagating, transforming, and preserving Hong Kong culture in the global community.

• Education and Outreach: The role of academic institutions and community outreach programs in promoting understanding and appreciation of Hong Kong's cultural nuances.

• Freedom of Expression: To what extent can Hong Kong artists, writers, and filmmakers express, preserve, and negotiate Hong Kong identities in their host countries and communities without the consideration of censorship as experienced in Hong Kong?

• Political Concerns: Do Hong Kong artists, writers, and filmmakers grapple with perceived fears of censorship and anxieties over returning to Hong Kong post producing content in host countries and communities?

Submission Guidelines

We welcome proposals for individual papers (20-minute papers) or 3-paper panels.

Guidelines for individual papers:

Proposals for individual papers (20 minutes) should include the following information:

• Title of the paper

• Abstract (300 words max)

• Bio-note of the speaker(s) (150 words max)

• Keywords (5 max)

• Contact email address of the speaker(s)

• Link to personal or professional webpage (if available)

Guidelines for 3-paper panels:

Proposals for fully constituted panels (of three papers) should include the following information:

• Title of the panel

• Title of each paper in the panel

• Abstract for each paper proposed (300 words max)

• Bio-note for each speaker (150 words max)

• Keywords for each paper proposed (5 max)

• Contact email address for all speakers

• Link to personal or professional webpage (if available)

We welcome submissions from academics at all stages of their career from any local or international institutions as well as artists and practitioners based locally and overseas, and actively encourage the work of postgraduate students and early career scholars.  We particularly welcome submissions that focus on the UK or comparative works between the UK and other countries.

Please direct any inquiries to: Wayne Wong (k.wong@sheffield.ac.uk),  Catherine Wong (catherine.wong@sheffield.ac.uk) or Charles Lam (C.Lam@leeds.ac.uk) 

Abstract submission, registration and further information can be found on the workshop website:

https://sites.google.com/sheffield.ac.uk/hkcaluk-workshop/home