Professor Jao Tsung-I (right) and Ms Fan Jinshi, Director of the Dunhuang Academy.
Over 500 celebrities from the Mainland, Hong Kong and overseas gathered at Dunhuang, Gansu Province, to celebrate the 95th birthday of renowned contemporary sinologist and world-acclaimed artist Professor Jao Tsung-I.
A banquet was held at the scenic Mogao Grottoes in southeast Dunhuang. The frescoes in the caves, painted from the fifth through the 13th centuries, feature some of the finest examples of Buddhist art. Professor Jao started his Dunhuang studies in the early 1950s. Inspired by Dunhuang art, he later created his own style of painting and calligraphy.
At Dunhuang, HKU Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap-Chee Tsui said: "We are here today not only to celebrate the birth of a great scholar, but also to express our heartfelt gratitude to his significant contributions in enriching Chinese culture."
Professor Tsui also thanked Professor Jao for teaching at the Chinese Department of the University in the 1950s and 60s. In 2003, the Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole was established at HKU. Professor Jao generously donated many of his valuable books, paintings, calligraphy and ceramics to the Petite Ecole, and the collection now contains 30,000 items.
Professor Jao in turn thanked his guests, many of whom had travelled from abroad to see him. He wanted in particular to thank those who had made donations in his name for the protection of Dunhuang's cultural relics, and called for the continued protection and preservation of Dunhuang art.
Professor Jao has spent more than 70 years in academic research and artistic creation. He has been widely acknowledged as an historian, sinologist, archaeologist, translator, painter and calligrapher. He is also a highly regarded poet and an expert on Chinese musical instruments.
A banquet was held at the scenic Mogao Grottoes in southeast Dunhuang. The frescoes in the caves, painted from the fifth through the 13th centuries, feature some of the finest examples of Buddhist art. Professor Jao started his Dunhuang studies in the early 1950s. Inspired by Dunhuang art, he later created his own style of painting and calligraphy.
At Dunhuang, HKU Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap-Chee Tsui said: "We are here today not only to celebrate the birth of a great scholar, but also to express our heartfelt gratitude to his significant contributions in enriching Chinese culture."
Professor Tsui also thanked Professor Jao for teaching at the Chinese Department of the University in the 1950s and 60s. In 2003, the Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole was established at HKU. Professor Jao generously donated many of his valuable books, paintings, calligraphy and ceramics to the Petite Ecole, and the collection now contains 30,000 items.
Professor Jao in turn thanked his guests, many of whom had travelled from abroad to see him. He wanted in particular to thank those who had made donations in his name for the protection of Dunhuang's cultural relics, and called for the continued protection and preservation of Dunhuang art.
Professor Jao has spent more than 70 years in academic research and artistic creation. He has been widely acknowledged as an historian, sinologist, archaeologist, translator, painter and calligrapher. He is also a highly regarded poet and an expert on Chinese musical instruments.
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