A novel luminary of martial arts stories

Starting in March, colorful events in Zhejiang and Hong Kong are celebrating the life of this great author.

The most comprehensive exhibition featuring Jin Yong's archival materials opened on March 10 at the Kangqiao 1924 Chinese Silk Cultural and Creative Park of Haining, showcasing more than 800 precious items. They include his manuscripts, calligraphy, editions of his books, old newspapers in which his novels were serialized and digital exhibits. Among the most valuable items are the serialized manuscripts of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, and the manuscripts of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, provided by the Hong Kong Ta Kung Pao Media Group and Ming Pao Group.

His former residence in Haining was reconstructed in 1998 to replicate his home according to the memories of the author and his family. The house officially opened to the public on March 12, when an exhibition was launched featuring his life story, including his six visits to Haining after moving to Hong Kong, when he made donations and supported local cultural, educational and economic development.

His memories of his home province, especially its landscapes and culture, remained close to his heart throughout his life, which is widely reflected in his creation of his martial arts universe, known in Chinese as jianghu, which literally means "rivers and lakes".

"Jin Yong is a great author from Haining, and we are grateful that in his novels he has brought a whole universe of martial arts back to his hometown," Chen Wei, Party secretary of Jiaxing, said at the forum for the centennial commemoration on March 11.

Jin Yong's first novel, The Book and the Sword, was based on a Haining folk tale in which Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) was actually of the Han rather than the Manchurian ethnic group as the result of a baby swap. The novel, like his other books, contains vivid descriptions of local landmarks, delicacies and social customs.

A new edition of The Book and the Sword was recently released in Haining, along with an illustrated map, featuring all the important locations in the city and nearby regions of Zhejiang that are mentioned in Jin Yong's novels.

Folk opera productions adapted from his books, including shadow-puppet shows, are performed. Documentaries about his life story, including his visits and contributions to his hometown, have been released.