From a fishing village in 1841 to an international trading hub, Hong Kong was culturally shaped throughout by China and late imperialism until the end of the Second World War. In Reimagine Hong Kong, writer Jia Jia explores the former British colony’s identity and local culture which began to come into its own only after Mao Zedong established a new regime. He delves deep into the contradictions and dichotomies that define this vibrant metropolis, weaving together history, architecture, philosophy, economics, and sociology. His exploration of the media landscape and popular culture offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on Hong Kong’s past, present, and future. Reimagine Hong Kong examines three fundamental questions: Does Hong Kong have an ‘identity crisis’? Why has Hong Kong been called a ‘cultural desert’? Has Hong Kong produced its own ‘meaninglessness’ and ‘tastelessness’? The author challenges readers to join his critique and invites them to co-create the future. Reimagine Hong Kong is a compelling read that takes readers on an unforgettable global journey from London''s theatres, New York''s skyscrapers, Tokyo''s nano homes, back to local heritage architecture, neon signs, and tea restaurants alongside metaphysical concepts. Jia Jia thinks it is about time someone took a long look at Hong Kong after two decades since its handover to China and started writing this memoir of Hong Kong during its last wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2022. The talented, well-documented author with experiences in art and culture and creative businesses collaborated with Hong Kong architect and photographer Wong Wei-him to give readers an aesthetically pleasing reading experience. This first collection of essays is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Hong Kong amid these unprecedented changes.

Jia Jia was born and raised in Hong Kong. He spent several years studying in England in the 1990s. At the age of twenty, Jia Jia’s first project was covered by several Hong Kong interior design journals, while his first article was published in International Property, a magazine based in England. After graduating from a reputable university in London, he has been engaged in different businesses and creative works related to real estate. His notable projects have been internationally recognised in books and documentaries, as well as exhibited in museums, including M+ in Hong Kong. Jia Jia has been involved in volunteering work for non-profit organisations, including being a director and co-founder. Passionate about art and culture, he attended talks and discussions as a speaker and moderator in universities and major events. He has written many published articles, including ones for a column in Capital Entrepreneur, a Hong Kong business magazine.

50% of gross proceeds of all income from the sale of electronic books under 2023 Collection of Essays will be donated to Hong Kong Church Network For the Poor (‘HKCNP’), a registered charity in Hong Kong under Section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Respective amounts will be used only under a designated project as subsidies to social volunteers for caring for underprivileged families. Cash Supermarket coupons, each as a unit equivalent to HK$ 50, will be donated to an approved volunteer for one-hour of social service. Monthly subsidy of each volunteer is capped at HK$ 2,500. About the project:
The project was started in 2021 during COVID-19 by HKCNP based on an extensive survey conducted involving its partner churches in Hong Kong’s eighteen districts. Since then, there were over 500 volunteers participated, who were from the under-privileged segment. Over HK$ 2 million has been raised to subsidise the volunteers, under the project, to visit under-privileged homes to care for their daily needs. About HKCNP:
Hong Kong Church Network For the Poor is a Christian-based charity that responds to the needs of the underprivileged in Hong Kong. By liasing closely with government departments, churches and the business sector, HKCNP is a platform for connecting different partners to perform advocacy and educational activities. It has access to over 600 churches and 350 non-profit organisations to enable resources to reach under-privileged households.

Project Oikwan challenges the notion of urban preservation and archival of collective memory. Curators and artists are invited to co-curate and create multimedia art in various forms at Oikwan Barbers, which has existed in alleyway for over sixty years with references to the history and community of Wan Chai. Through this project, we hope to achieve the followings: - Re-imaging preservation and community through a series of exhibitions, guided tour and artists' talk. - Research and commentaries on the value of archiving nostalgia and fading urban narratives. - To experiment on how art could possibly create a new identity for an existing space, business and neighbourhood. - To develop a systematic methodology which can be applied to other spaces, districts, even cities and nations.

Wong Wei-him is the founder and chief of his Hong Kong-based architectural design practice In-between Architects. He is also a street photographer who uses a LeicaM6 camera to capture specific moments of daily lives in Hong Kong. His works, under different collections including ‘On the Waterfront,’ ‘Ferrytale’ and ‘Somewhere In-between,’ have been featured in different publications and shown in different exhibitions in Hong Kong and London. He has received awards and recognitions for select pieces of work. 2016.10     FotoFete by Asia Society Hong Kong - Finalist 2018.10     The Independent Photographer Street Photography Award 2018 - Editor's Pick 2019.01     National Geographic Wheelock Hong Kong Photo Contest 2018, City - Top 50 Finalist 2019.12     WMA Masters 2019/20 ‘Light’ - Finalist 2020.04     Italian Street Photo Festival 2020, Single Photo - Finalist 2021.09     C Type Magazine Open Call 'Survival' - Finalist 2022.10     Star Ferry • Sails with HK Together - The “Star” Ferry Photo Competition 2022 - Honorable Mention

GOLDEN SONG is a multi-faceted music project celebrating the evolving history and existence of Cantonese popular music, known as ‘Cantopop.’ It was initiated by Cedric Chan and Jia Jia in 2023, a duo of musician and writer. The project narrates, reimagines and tells the Cantopop story, a quintessential local cultural ‘manifesto’ that gave Hong Kong its distinct character and identity since the 1960s. In the backdrop of Hong Kong’s renewed desire to preserve popular culture as part of a new wave of seeking local identity, this project echoes the period of twenty-five years after Hong Kong was handed over by Britain back to China in 1997. The notion of ‘preserving Cantopop,’ originating from academic theories in anthropology and sociology, has become society-wide ‘collective memory.’ The duo narrates their own stories within this grand narrative, bringing their personal sentiments and nostalgia, as well as reflections on their lives and deep connections with Hong Kong. Chan began his musical journey in 1998 when he began studying classical music at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts while Jia Jia returned to Hong Kong after studying abroad to pursue his creative multiple endeavours. Golden Song is a piece of music jointly created by Chan and Jia Jia. Comprising of twenty-five minutes and five phases, the audience is drawn into a journey of re-discovering Cantopop of the past decades. Two of the phases are two ‘golden songs.’

Cedric Chan is a renowned Hong Kong musician, pianist, composer, arranger and music producer. His works include a range of styles, including classical, jazz and pop. Graduated from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 2001, he was taught by one of Hong Kong’s notable pianist Nancy Loo. Since 2001, Chan has composed more than 50 Cantonese pop songs for famous singers, including Cass Phang, Eason Chan, Deep Ng and Kenny Kwan. He also composed Christian gospel songs for singers Agnes Chiang and Adia Chan. He has also co-founded various music projects, including being the pianist of the Hong Kong music group ‘Chuszemagic’ and the music director of the gospel band ‘Emmanuel.’

Jia Jia was born and raised in Hong Kong. He spent several years studying in England in the 1990s. At the age of twenty, Jia Jia’s first project was covered by several Hong Kong interior design journals, while his first article was published in International Property, a magazine based in England. After graduating from a reputable university in London, he has been engaged in different businesses and creative works related to real estate. His notable projects have been internationally recognised in books and documentaries, as well as exhibited in museums, including M+ in Hong Kong. Jia Jia has been involved in volunteering work for non-profit organisations, including being a director and co-founder. Passionate about art and culture, he attended talks and discussions as a speaker and moderator in universities and major events. He has written many published articles, including ones for a column in Capital Entrepreneur, a Hong Kong business magazine.