Jockey Club funds mega exhibition of Dunhuang cultural relics

11/27/2014

The wonders of the ancient Dunhuang Caves and grotto culture, also known as the “Encyclopaedia of the Middle Ages” go on show at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum from tomorrow (28 November). The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Dunhuang: Untold Tales, Untold Riches, fundedby an HK$8.5 million donation from the Club’s Charities Trust, showcases nearly 120 exhibits.

Today (27 November), Club Steward Dr Rita Fan Hsu Lai Tai joined Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam, Dunhuang Academy Director Dr Fan Jinshi, General Administration Office of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage Deputy Director Wang Jinhua, History Museum Advisory Panel Chairman Stanley Wong, Leisure and Cultural Services Director Michelle Li and Hong Kong Heritage Museum Director Belinda Wong to officiate at the opening ceremony.

Dr Fan noted the Club had long been a supporter of arts and cultural development across the city, and was delighted to be the sole sponsor of the exhibition. “Apart from supporting the exhibition, the Club is funding a wide range of educational programmes, including seminars hosted by experts from Dunhuang Academy and docent tours to enable our younger generation to have a better understanding of the precious Dunhuang culture,” she said.

The nearly four-month exhibition is the largest of its kind ever organised in Hong Kong. Among the 120 invaluable exhibits on loan from the Dunhuang Academy is a 13-metre-long statue of the NirvA?na Buddha, the largest exhibit, as well as three life-size replica caves, Dunhuang documents and copies of the cave murals.

And to enhance the visitors’ experience, the Hong Kong Dance Federation will demonstrate Dunhuang Dance and the audience can experience the art of Dunhuang through their dances. Moreover, Dunhuang Academy Director Dr Fan Jinshi will present a public lecture on the significance of Dunhuang in terms of cultural exchange and artistic uniqueness. For details, please visit: http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/ce/Museum/Heritage/en_US/web/hm/exhibitions/data/exid218.html.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series is a partnership between the Club’s Charities Trust and the LCSD launched in 2012/2013 to support two to three exhibitions each year, with an annual funding of HK$17 million. The exhibitions are complemented by educational programmes. A previous Series hit was the Legends of the Giant Dinosaursexhibition, which attracted a record-breaking 770,000 visitors over five months. Another exhibition under this HKJC Series is the Treasures from Tsarskoye Selo, Residence of the Russian Monarchs exhibition which was just opened last month, it will be held at the Hong Kong Museum of History until 16 March 2015.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse racing operator and Hong Kong’s largest community benefactor, as well as one of Asia’s most prestigious membership clubs. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Club allocates its surplus for charitable and community projects. In 2013/14, its donations reached a record $3.6 billion, and in the last decade alone it supported over 1,275 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$19.58 billion in 2013/14. With about 70% of its revenue given back to society every year through donations and tax contributions, The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a significantly higher return to the community than any other racing and/or sports betting organisation in the world. As a socially responsible organisation, the Club helps Government combat illegal betting and advocates responsible gambling. The Club is also one of Hong Kong’s largest employers with over 24,800 full-time and part-time staff. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “Riding high together for a better future”with the people of Hong Kong.