In this episode, we explore A Personal History of Hong Kong as 39 Everyday Objects, a visually striking poem by Dr. Antony Huen that transforms mundane items—from bamboo scaffolding to Octopus cards—into a curated museum of collective memory. Blending personal nostalgia with cultural commentary, the poem invites readers to reconsider Hong Kong’s identity through the lens of the ordinary.

Dr. Huen joins Julia in the Deep Dive segment to discuss:

• Why objects, not people or places, became his framework for Hong Kong’s story.
• The tension between local, colonial, and global influences in the poem.
• How language choices (English, Cantonese, Japanese) reflect Hong Kong’s hybridity.
• Which object he’d preserve for future generations—and why.

We also hear from two Hong Kongers in their 60s about the iconic objects that define their city. Finally, in Local Lingo, we unpack the surprising global journey of the red-white-blue bag.

Featured Work & Further Reading

📜 Poem: A Personal History of Hong Kong as 39 Everyday Objects (original English version)

📚 Essay: Cosmopolitan Hybridity, Cultural Memory, and Curation in Hong Kong Poetry by Antony Huen and Felix Chow

👜 The Red-White-Blue Bag: Read journalist Christopher DeWolf’s article on how this humble tarp became a global icon.

🌐 Author’s Website: Visit here

📱Social Media: Follow Dr. Huen on Twitter/X or Instagram

Credits

🎙️ Voice Contributors: Moon, Biu, Sybil, and Jim

🏨 Recording Space: Special thanks to the Eaton Hotel in Hong Kong.

📸 Cover Photo: Wiki Commons

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