The evolutionary nature of associative cultural landscape : Lion Rock as a case study

Abstract

This paper explores Lion Rock as a significant associative cultural landscape in Hong Kong, examining its evolving symbolism in response to the city's socio-political shifts. From promoting the Lion Rock Spirit of perseverance and unity through the “Below the Lion Rock” TV series, which transformed Hong Kong into an international city, to embodying universal values during two significant political movements—the 2014 Umbrella Movement and the 2019 Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement—Lion Rock has come to hold various meanings for the people of Hong Kong. By adopting the theory of associative cultural landscapes from UNESCO, as well as the social and cultural value frameworks from the Burra Charter, Chinese Principle, and Historic England, this paper concludes that there are four qualities of social and cultural value of associative cultural landscapes: social meaning, collective memory, community attitude, and educational benefits. It also demonstrates that Lion Rock is a significant associative cultural landscape associated with the people of Hong Kong through the lens of these four qualities. Additionally, the paper employs desktop research, online surveys, and interviews to explore how the cultural and social value of Lion Rock has evolved within these four qualities. Consequently, the paper concludes that conservation efforts to preserve the values of Lion Rock as an associative cultural landscape are unnecessary, given its inherent ability to adapt to varying situations and challenges.