July 20, 2023 Reuters – Fans from Hong Kong and all corners of the world gathered at the feet of a Bruce Lee statue on Thursday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the untimely death of the legendary kung fu icon.
In front of the life-size bronze statue set against the picturesque backdrop of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour, a continuous stream of admirers snapped pictures, bowed in respect, and laid down flowers as a mark of tribute to Bruce Lee’s indelible legacy.
Among the devoted fans were enthusiasts from mainland China, Asia, and Europe who travelled to Hong Kong to pay their respects to the martial arts maestro. The event witnessed heartfelt gestures as some attendees performed moves from Lee’s distinctive style of kung fu, “Jeet Kune Do,” while others exhibited their skill with “nunchucks,” the weapon famously popularized by Lee in several of his iconic films.
“I have loved Bruce Lee since I was very young,” said Bruce Shin from South Korea, sporting a brush cut and large framed sunglasses in a striking homage to the kung fu legend. “His body and figure were so mysterious. I wanted to be like him and did weight training for 50 years,” Shin added, demonstrating his admiration with high-pitched yelps and rapid-fire punches.
Born in San Francisco but raised in Hong Kong, Bruce Lee tragically passed away at the tender age of 32 on July 20, 1973, due to a brain swelling, just days before the release of his globally acclaimed blockbuster movie ‘Enter the Dragon.’ Since his untimely demise, Lee’s profound impact on martial arts and popular culture has inspired legions of devoted fans worldwide. However, some see his legacy as a fading relic of the past in the former British colony.
The Wing Chun style of Kung Fu, which Lee learned from his grandmaster Ip Man, continues to be taught in several schools, but it has faced challenges in attracting new disciples in the high-octane, skyscraper-stacked metropolis of Hong Kong. Interestingly, one of Lee’s most famous maxims, “Be water, my friend,” from a 1971 interview, served as an inspiration for Hong Kong’s 2019 pro-democracy movement.
The phrase provided a guiding light during months of city-wide protests against Beijing’s increasing control over the global financial hub, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
“Could you have ever imagined that after half a century, one person could be remembered all around the world?” expressed Wong Yiu-keung, the chairman of the local Bruce Lee Club. Indeed, Bruce Lee’s influence transcends borders, as Sophie Uekawa from Japan emphasized, “He’s Chinese, but he’s cosmopolitan, he’s not bounded by a border. He is a human being under the sky … We have to tell the new generation about him and carry on his spirit.”
As fans united in their reverence for the late kung fu icon, the 50th-anniversary tribute in Hong Kong served as a poignant reminder of Bruce Lee’s everlasting impact on martial arts, popular culture, and the hearts of countless people worldwide. His philosophy and teachings continue to inspire and resonate with people of all ages, keeping the spirit of the legendary Bruce Lee alive for generations to come.
