［對談］轉譯旅人的眼界：重讀《從前，有個香港》

Long before This is Hong Kong became a cherished time capsule for local readers, it was born from the singular lens of Miroslav Šašek. A lifelong wanderer across world cities, Šašek was accustomed to observing urban life with an appreciative, subtle distance. When he arrived in 1960s Hong Kong, he spent painstaking hours redrawing Chinese shop signs—iterating dozens of times through language and cultural barriers to capture the vibrant textures of daily life.

In this sharing session, the editorial team behind the book’s Traditional Chinese edition reflects on the origins and journey of bringing this work to light. How was this forgotten gem first “discovered”? How did the editors preserve its original mid-century context while holding up a mirror to Hong Kong today? And how did the translator delicately blend Šašek’s European gaze with an authentic local voice? Join us for a thoughtful afternoon exploring how a half-century-old portrait of the city finds new life today.

A guided walk-through of "This is M. Šašek" follows the talk for those interested in seeing how history, travel, and visual storytelling converge. This event will be conducted in Cantonese.

在《從前，有個香港》成為本土讀者珍視的歲月膠囊之前，這本繪本源於 Miroslav Šašek 獨特的觀看方式。半生漫遊於世界各地的 Šašek，習慣以一種帶有距離卻溫柔的目光觀察城市。1960 年代他來到香港，為了精準描繪街頭招牌的中文字，曾反覆重畫數十次，在語言與文化的壁壘之間，記錄下當時這座城市的日常百態。

本次分享會邀請到《從前，有個香港》繁體中文版的編輯團隊，分享出版這本書的緣起和歷程——當初是如何「發現」這本書的？編輯團隊如何保留當時的語境同時對照現在？譯者又怎樣融合作者的歐洲視角與在地味道？誠邀各位一同前來，細味這部半個世紀前的城市紀錄。

對談後將有《從前，有個薩錫克》展覽導賞，誠邀你留步，細味歷史記憶、旅途足跡與視覺敘事交織的微妙魅力。活動以廣東話進行。

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This is M. Šašek is an exhibition centred on the legendary world of 20th-century Czech illustrator Miroslav Šašek, inviting audiences to rediscover world cities through his whimsical yet architecturally grounded perspective. Featuring rare draft reproductions authorised by the Miroslav Šašek Foundation, the exhibition showcases his signature comparative views, years in exile, and the pioneering spirit of his 18-volume This is series. It is a timeless, inspiring journey that bridges past and present, encouraging us to step back from the digital age and appreciate the enduring charm of illustrated storytelling.

Alongside the exhibition, a multidimensional lifestyle experience awaits, featuring engaging dialogues and workshop. A dedicated Bookazine Pop-up Bookstore and thematic dining collaborations with 33 Wyndham Street partners (Heimat by Peter Find and Cassio Hong Kong) offer visitors immersive pathways blending visual art, literature, and dining experience.

This is M. Šašek
Presented by Wyndham Social in collaboration with the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Hong Kong, Alliance Française de Hong Kong, Goethe-Institut Hong Kong, Consulate General of Ireland in Hong Kong, Italian Cultural Institute in Hong Kong, and ditto ditto

Exhibition period: 31 Jul – 13 Sep 2026
Opening hours: 11:00am–7:00pm daily (Free admission by registration)
Venue: G/F & 27/F, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong

「從前，有個薩錫克」展覽以二十世紀傳奇捷克插畫大師米羅斯拉夫．薩錫克（Miroslav Šašek）的傳奇世界為主題，邀請觀眾透過其充滿童趣與建築美學的獨特視角，重溫暢銷全球的《This is》系列旅遊繪本。展覽透過薩錫克基金會授權展出的珍貴手稿與圖案，呈現其流亡歲月、建築背景及經典的「大與小」對比視角，帶領大眾走進一場跨越時代的圖文與城市探索之旅。這是一段兼具懷舊與啟發的旅程，讓人們在數碼時代前回望經典，重新發現城市與藝術交織的溫潤質感。

除展覽外，亦設有一系列豐富的跨界生活體驗與活動，公共節目包括對談及工作坊。場內特設 Bookazine 期間限定書店與雲咸街 33 號餐飲夥伴 Heimat by Peter Find 及 Cassio Hong Kong）的主題美饌聯乘，提供揉合視覺、閱讀與餐飲的全方位日常藝術體驗。

「從前，有個薩錫克」
由 Wyndham Social 與捷克共和國駐香港總領事館、香港法國文化協會、香港歌德學院、愛爾蘭駐香港總領事館、意大利駐香港總領事館文化處及 ditto ditto 聯合呈獻

日期：2026 年 7 月 31 日至 9 月 13 日
時間：上午 11 時至晚上 7 時（免費登記入場）
地點：香港中環雲咸街 33 號地下及 27 樓