Vaudine England Explores Hong Kong’s Rich History

Description

In this compelling talk organised by the Royal Geographical Society – Hong Kong (RGS-HK), Vaudine England presents a fresh narrative of Hong Kong’s history through her book Fortune’s Bazaar: The Making of Hong Kong, highlighting the contributions of the different communities that contributed to the city’s cosmopolitan character, including Armenians, Portuguese and Eurasians, amongst others. Moving beyond British and Chinese influences, England reveals Hong Kong as a dynamic port city shaped by cultural mixing, interracial marriages and visionary entrepreneurs. Her vivid accounts of different personalities such as wartime heroes, tycoons and community builders highlight the complex social fabric that still defines Hong Kong’s identity today. 

England is a seasoned journalist and historian with decades of experience reporting across Asia for outlets like the BBC and Reuters. Now based in Amsterdam, she is a research associate with the Hong Kong History Project and co-founder of the archives consultancy History Ink.