"After all this time?"
"Always."
——Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
With gatherings of people dressed in robes and cone-shaped hats, wands in their hands around London and many other areas of the globe on Monday, it was not the wizarding world holding a Quidditch World Cup, but only the Muggles celebrating an important date: the 20-year anniversary of the first book about "The Boy Who Lived."
Fans across the world on Monday celebrated the publication of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" 20 years ago on June 26, 1997.
Harry Potter fans attend an anniversary presentation at Waterstones bookshop in London, Britain June 26, 2017. /VCG Photo
It was the first of the seven volumes of UK writer J.K. Rowling's fantasy novels, which became a huge success and enjoyed great popularity. It has since translated into 79 languages and sold over 450 million copies across the world.
In the following 10 years, the other six volumes were published, also generating great commercial value.
A Harry Potter fan poses for a photograph during a visit to Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross station in London, Britain. /VCG Photo
The first film adapted from Harry Potter's story in 2001 shot its stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint to worldwide fame, and the franchise wrapped up in 2011.
Even though it was meant to be a book for children, the series attracted many adults as well. Publishers even put forward a special edition for adults, with the covers designed in a more somber style.
Harry Potter fans enjoy a drink at a pub in London, Britain. /VCG Photo
J.K. Rowling also tweeted on her personal Twitter handle to mark the anniversary and express gratitude to the fans, saying that "20 years ago today a world that I had lived in alone was suddenly open to others."
Fan's reply to J.K. Rowling. /Photo via Twitter
Screenshot of J.K. Rowling's tweet to mark the 20-year anniversary of Harry Potter. /Photo via Twitter
The message was retweeted nearly 500,000 times on Twitter, with over 22,000 followers leaving messages under it, most expressing their deep affections towards the series.
Fan's reply to J.K. Rowling. /Photo via Twitter
"You brought magic to a generation who desperately needed it. We were inspired to push for change in our world, because of yours," reads a reply by Twitter user @MadeleineDune.
People have been marking the anniversary online by sharing photos of themselves wearing costumes or clips selected from the Harry Potter movie. #HarryPotter20 also became a trending hashtag on twitter.
On Chinese social media Weibo, there was also a frenzy about the 20-year anniversary. Chinese fans have been recalling their childhood accompanied by "the boy who lived" and his friends.
Chinese fan's comment to mark 20-year anniversary of Harry Potter. /Photo via Weibo
"I am impressed by every single scene from the book, since I've read it numerous times since my primary school days. If I had to select one most impressive one from it, I guess it is the first encounter of Harry, Hermione and Ron, because that is when their future adventure begins," said @Dpingye, a Weibo user.
Chinese fan's comment to mark 20-year anniversary of Harry Potter. /Photo via Weibo
"I think I should write something to memorialize my heart's journey during the past 16 years. In fact, I have been waiting for the owl to send me a letter all the time, until now," said @Shine.
In 2015, a deal was finally sealed between Universal Studios and a Chinese state-owned consortium to build an amusement park including attraction the Harry Potter Movie Magic Experience.
A scene from the first Harry Potter movie: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. /Photo via douban.com
The park, which is scheduled to open in China around 2020, is expected to become a new attraction for the Chinese Harry Potter fans.
A few months from now, Harry Potter will celebrate his 37th birthday, and for those who grew up accompanied, inspired or encouraged by the book, it is still possible for an owl to bring an admission letter from the Hogwarts, and Platform 9 3/4 at the King's Cross station will never close...
