In Memoriam: Xi Xi

Abstract

AbstractThe renowned and beloved Hong Kong writer Xi Xi passed away peacefully on the morning of December 18, 2022, at the age of eighty-five. A memorial service was held at Heep Yunn School, her alma mater, on January 8, 2023, to commemorate her life, her passion, and her contribution to Hong Kong literature. The service was attended by relatives, friends, writers, and readers, some of whom gave heartfelt speeches, recounted their memories of Xi Xi, and read from her work. Video clips and photographs from Xi Xi’s life were also shown. Ho Fuk Yan, editor of the Xi Xi volume in the Hong Kong Literature Series and Xi Xi’s devoted friend and literary collaborator, paid a moving tribute to Xi Xi at the service, highlighting their lifelong friendship: “Knowing Xi Xi has been my greatest fortune in life.” Notes1 “Yellow Flying Bear” is the first teddy bear made by Xi Xi and his color is yellow. “Yellow Flying Bear” is a direct translation of “黃飛熊”, which sounds the same as “黃飛鴻” Wong Fei Hung, the name of the Cantonese martial arts master and folk hero. In an interview with Ho Fuk Yan, Xi Xi said, “I called my first teddy Yellow Flying Bear because he’s yellow, and his fur is so fine. I took him on the plane with me.”Additional informationNotes on contributorsFuk Yan HoHo Fuk Yan is one of Hong Kong’s leading poets, essayists, and critics. He is a cofounding editor of the influential literary journals Plain Leaves and Thumb and the author of The Topic of Time, a collection of conversations with Xi Xi, and Two Women Like Her, a book of critical essays. He is also the editor of Hong Kong Literature Series: Volume on Xi Xi and Floating City 1.2.3—A New Study of Xi Xi’s Fiction, as well as the coeditor of Research Materials on Xi Xi. Additionally, he has published three volumes of poetry and three prose collections.