Lighting Candles In Darkness: From Tiananmen Square To Hong Kong

As the world approaches another anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, the struggle to preserve historical memory and defend the principles of freedom remains as urgent as ever. On June 4, 2026, the Hoover Institution will host Lighting Candles in Darkness: From Tiananmen Square to Hong Kong, a timely discussion examining the enduring legacy of the 1989 pro-democracy movement in China and the ongoing efforts to resist authoritarian attempts to erase its history.

Featuring renowned scholar and author Rowena He in conversation with democracy expert Larry Diamond, this event will explore how generations of activists, survivors, and citizens have sought to keep the memory of Tiananmen alive despite censorship, repression, and political persecution. The discussion will also examine the significance of Hong Kong's once-famous candlelight vigils and what their suppression reveals about the broader struggle for truth, historical memory, and human dignity.

For those committed to liberty, human rights, and democratic values, this conversation offers an important opportunity to reflect on one of the defining freedom movements of the modern era and the courage of those who continue to defend its legacy today.

Date: June 4, 2026
Time: 4:00–5:00 PM PT
Location: Shultz Auditorium, George P. Shultz Building, Hoover Institution
Registration: Available through the Hoover Institution event page.