📖🇭🇰 Borrowed: a podcast on politics and literature in Hong Kong
📖🇭🇰 Borrowed: a podcast on politics and literature in Hong Kong
LoTW: Journalist and literary encyclopedia, Jasmine Tse
Good morning,
Hi! I'm Jasmine Tse.
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California (in a small town called South Pasadena), and I moved to Hong Kong in 2018 to pursue my undergraduate studies.
I am a soon-to-be graduate of Hong Kong Baptist University with a major in international journalism and a minor in political science. I am passionate about audio news reporting and storytelling, and I have been making podcasts and videos for the South China Morning Post for nearly a year now.
Feel free to reach out to me at jasminetse327@gmail.com or on Twitter.
Borrowed: The Podcast
Borrowed I recently made a podcast called Borrowed. It’s about Hong Kong, its current socio-political climate, and how it has all transpired within the city's literary community.
Prior to making this podcast, I had read endless stories about people leaving Hong Kong, including the owner of a beloved independent bookstore. I was unsure if I would be leaving as well — Hong Kong itself has made it hard to find reasons to stay. However, as I looked around, many indie bookstores are still in Hong Kong. In fact, new ones keep opening up despite the socio-political climate and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond indie bookstores, I came to realize that the entire literary community in Hong Kong has continued to persevere.
I spoke with local publishers, authors, and bookstore owners to find out the challenges and risks they face — including instances of self-censorship, arrests, and prosecution — and why they have chosen to stay despite it all.
Borrowed was published on May 3, which was also World Press Freedom Day. This was purely coincidentally (and I wasn’t aware of it until my SCMP colleague Jarrod Watt mentioned it on Twitter), but the timing couldn’t have been more apt. You can listen to Borrowed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Stitcher
COVID in HK
New cases: 294 (97 PCR, 157 RAT, 40 imported)
Total cases: 1,207,665
New deaths: 1 (0 backlog)
Total deaths: 9,356
ReThink HK returns 5-6 Oct
HT is proud to once again be a media partner for ReThink - HK’s biggest and most exciting sustainability conference. This year’s conference invites more than 300 expert speakers to share their visions and insights, covering important topics like economic progression while coexisting with nature harmoniously, efficient use of resources, transformation to a low-carbon society, and circular economy for future generations.
Read our full press release on the event here.
As a High Tide subscriber, you get to enjoy super-early-bird prices until 4 Sep (already expired for everyone else in early May).
Sign up here using the code HTP22 for 40% off a standard ticket!
Shows, hangouts and exhibitions coming this week
This week’s events roundup focuses mainly on theatre and art, including the Open Couple, directed by long term High Tide fan Ryan King. If you’re looking for a thought provoking day (or night) out, check these out:
The Open Couple: https://bit.ly/399ljfP
The Decalogue: https://bit.ly/3Md4vTO
Hai la un Spritz: https://bit.ly/39bvTmy
Adrift in Time exhibition: https://bit.ly/3L7imtw
NFT Art Experience: https://bit.ly/3FI3Veu
Placecs to borrow and buy books
Check out all the wonderful indie bookstores around Hong Kong! You’d be surprised at how many there are. Here’s a few of my favorites:
7 Bookstore-Square (located in Wan Chai) is run by 7 indie bookstore owners. The store is split into 7 distinct shelves, akin to a pop-up market.
Jisaam Books (located in Yau Ma Tai and Lai Chi Kok) offers a wide selection of books and provides two awesome spaces to read.
Hunter Bookstore (located in Sham Shui Po) recently opened! They’ve got a great setup featuring a locker filled with books.
Jasmine’s favourite podcast?
You can’t become a great podcaster without first listening to a whole bunch. Find out what Jasmine’s favourite podcast is on today’s Paid Tide.
Thank you for reading High Tide!
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