Bruce Lee still a kick in Hong Kong

MANILA, Philippines -For many people, Bruce Lee was, and still is, the first name that comes to mind about Hong Kong — even 40 years after his death. The legacy of the kung fu superstar still lives on, crossing boundaries of region, race and age.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of his death at the age of 32, a giant 3.5-meter side-kicking statue of Bruce Lee will be unveiled in Hong Kong Heritage Museum in Sha Tin.

Showcasing his life story, the five-year exhibition entitled “Bruce Lee: Kung Fu. Art. Life” is the longest, and also largest, Bruce Lee exhibition ever staged in Hong Kong, with more than 600 artifacts, including his famous yellow tracksuit, film set recreations and personal notebooks

The Bruce Lee statue at the Avenue of Stars has always been a top Hong Kong tourist attraction. This avenue is now part of the “Bruce Lee Way,” which links the star’s former homes, schools and film locations. The trail includes a famous spot at the car park of Ocean Terminal, where the star had a well-known set of photographs taken in 1972 to promote cruise tourism.

Bruce Lee once said, “The key to immortality is, first, living a life worth remembering.” He lived up to his words, and he has always been the pride of Hong Kong.

Although born in San Francisco, Bruce Lee grew up in Hong Kong, where he enjoyed street fighting as a youngster. At the age of 18, he went back to the US to pursue his studies, a journey that broadened the horizons of both his life and mind.

Merging philosophy into martial arts, he founded his own system, Jeet Kune Do, and became the preeminent kung fu grandmaster of his time. After returning to Hong Kong in the early 1970s, he starred in a number of classic kung fu movies, including The Big Boss (1971), Fists of Fury (1972) and Enter the Dragon (1973).

To reserve tickets for “Bruce Lee: Kung Fu. Art. Life,” visit Hong Kong Heritage Museum or http://blor.lcsd.gov.hk/Bruce_Lee_Exhibition/public/welcome.php online.