An online lecture by Pavel Krejčí based on his article “From Siberia to Europe through Hong Kong: The Czechoslovak Twentieth-Century Odyssey”.

Details (from Pavel Krejčí)

The lecture focuses on the experiences of thousands of Czechoslovak soldiers who fought during the First World War, but who, because of the vagaries of history, found themselves able to return to their homeland only by undertaking an around the world journey through Russia and Siberia, and then by ship through Asia. For many of these soldiers, one of their most remarkable and enduring memories was their visit to Hong Kong, through which they passed during the years 1919-1920.

The Czechoslovak soldiers were dazzled by Hong Kong’s beauty, but at the same time shocked by the disparity in income and the poverty they witnessed many of the native inhabitants suffered from. Meanwhile, their interest in local culture and food did not prevent them from building friendships through playing football with British and Chinese teams.

The lecture highlights this virtually unknown but fascinating connection between Hong Kong and Czechoslovakia (today’s Czechia and Slovakia) and sheds light on Hong Kong’s unexpected contribution to the establishment of what was then a new republic in the heart of Europe.

The Speaker

Pavel Krejčí is a Czech PhD candidate at the University of Hong Kong and an awardee of the Hong Kong Postgraduate Fellowship Scheme. As a part of his research in modern European history, he conducted research in the archives and diaries of many Czechoslovak soldiers, from which he drew in the article that this lecture is based upon.

Venue: Online via Zoom

Admission: No charge. Please register your attendance in advance

Booking: Please email membership@royalasiaticsociety.org.hk in advance to register