June 29, 2012

On Wednesday morning the opening session of the seminar on the future of Chinese literature was held at the Wei Hing Theatre, City University of Hong Kong. It started with speeches by Professor Way Kuo, Professor Cheng Pei-kai, Dr Wu Zhiliang and Mr Poon Yiu Ming, followed by the ribbon cutting ceremony and short presentations by scholars, writers and translators.

The theme ‘prospect of Chinese literature’ was reviewed from various aspects such as language, location and background. Emphasis was put on the increasing importance of the Chinese language throughout the world; the knowledge of classical Chinese literature; an awareness of the major differences in Chinese literature from region to region and finally, the need of translation into foreign languages to gain exposure to the world.

Written by: Audrey

June 20, 2012

Next week there will be a two day seminar on Chinese literature, entitled: 兩岸四地－「世界華文文學前瞻」講座 (Prospects of Chinese Literature in the World—China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao). Many renowned names in the literary and translation world will be participating, including Taiwanese authors Yu Guangzhong, Li Ang and Chen Ruoxi; American translators Howard Goldblatt and Sylvia Li-chun Lin, Swedish sinologist Torbjörn Loden, mainland scholar Chen Sihe, Hong Kong author Lawrence Pun, and many many others.

The programme will start on Wednesday 27 June with an opening session at the Wei Hing Theatre, City University of Hong Kong, followed by discussions on Chinese literature in two parallel sessions in the afternoon (see website for details of time and venue). Then all the authors, translators and scholars will be moving to Macao where discussions resume at the Macao Science Center on Friday 29 June 2012.

The event is hosted by the Hong Kong Ming Pao Monthly, Chinese Civilisation Centre of the City University of Hong Kong, the Macao Foundation and the Federation of Hong Kong Writers. More information please see the website (in Chinese). All are welcome but remember that online registration by 25 June 2012 is required.

Written by: Audrey

May 24, 2012

A while ago I learnt from an MCLC post that the Spring issue of wienzeile, a magazine for literature, art and politics, published in Austria would feature Chinese contemporary literature and art. Given my interest in Chinese literature, and that in translation, I applied for a free copy which just arrived in the post.

The issue themed ‘mit dem kopf durch die chinesische mauer’ 橫穿長城的頭顱 from a poem by Liu Jixin, contains works by writers from the PRC and Taiwan, including Hsia Yu, Yan Jun, Hung Hung, Zheng Xiaoqiong, Yu Jian, Ma Lan, Qi Ge, Wu Yinning, Lin Weifu, Tong Yali, Pang Pei and Liao Yiwu. All translated into German and many of them printed with the Chinese original.

The violent image on the front cover, see illustration here, is art by Linda Bilda from Vienna. According to Martin Winter, translator of most of the pieces in this issue, the editorial team was originally divided about the cover. Eventually the view of a prominent Chinese author (included in this issue) who said it represented ‘Heutiges China’ (China today) settled it.

The magazine was official launched on 17 May in Vienna, with a live performance by poet and artist Yan Jun. For more information about the magazine, see website: http://wienzeile.cc/magazin/62/.

Written by: Audrey

April 18, 2012

Last week, the City Literary Festival took place on 13 and 14 April at the City University of Hong Kong. Many distinguished guests, writers and scholars attended the opening and other parts of the programme. According to the report published by CityU NewsCentre, Professor Cheng Pei-kai emphasized in his speech at the opening ceremony that the aim of the event was to rouse interest in creative writing and encourage reading.

Theme of the festival was ‘Longing for Nature’ and the invited writers all shared their views and feelings on this subject. After the opening in the morning there were four parallel sessions with prominent authors in the afternoon, separated by genre and moderated by experts. The first group ‘essay’ was led by Dr Fung Chi Wang, the second group ‘short story’ by Prof Chan Hok Yin, the third group ‘poetry’ by Prof Zhang Longxi and the fourth group ‘Cultural and Art Criticism’ by Dr Ma Ka Fai.

This year’s festival was organised by the Cultural and Sports Committee, the Chinese Civilisation Centre, and the Department of Chinese, Translation and Linguistics of City University of Hong Kong. It was co-organized by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, the Chinese Language Education Section of the Curriculum Development Institute at the Education Bureao and Macao Foundation. It was sponsored by the Hang Seng Bank.

Written by: Audrey

March 20, 2012

This week Professor Fu Jie, Department of Chinese Language and Literature, Fudan University, will give two talks in the Centre’s Research Seminar Series. The first one which will be held on Wednesday 21 March is on ‘Ding Fubao and A Forest of Glosses on the Shuowen Jiezi’ and the second on Thursday is on ‘Qian Mu and Oracle Bone Text.’

Professor Fu’s main research interest and expertise is in Chinese literature, as can be seen from his major Chinese language publications which include: Resonating to a Beautiful Sound (2001), The Complete Works of Jiang Liangfu (2002), Collected Works on the History of Chinese Literature in the 20th Century (2001), and A Hundred Quotes from the Analects (2007).

What his two talks have in common is that they are both on two great Chinese scholars: the exegete, physician and polymath Ding Fubao (丁福保, 1874–1952) and the historian, educator and philosopher Qian Mu (or perhaps better known as Ch’ien Mu in Wade Giles transcription) (錢穆1895-1990). And both talks focus on their contribution to the study of ancient Chinese writing.

The talks will be held at the Centre’s meeting room. Medium of language is putonghua. For more information, check out the website. Those interested are requested to register with Ms Shirley Ha by email ciha@cityu.edu.hk or phone 3442 2477. All welcome.

Written by: Audrey

March 14, 2012

Every week the Chinese Civilisation Centre contributes an article to the Chinese language newspaper Wen Wei Po. The topics of the articles include Chinese culture, heritage, history, literature etc. Given the pro-PRC nature of the newspaper, the contents should not contain sensitive issues or anything provocative.

Some of the articles are written by teaching staff of the Centre who share their latest research results, but most are accounts of the lectures by visiting scholars. Take for instance the article of 26 February 2012, which is based on the lecture ‘Between Loyalty and Treachery: Yan Song and Emperor Jiajing’ (see online version  忠奸之間：嚴嵩與嘉靖皇帝) by Lee Cheuk-yin, Professor at the National University of Singapore. This is an interesting historical probe into whether the Grand Secretary Yan Song was as evil and cunning as he is usually depicted.

Another recent article which was published on 4 March is ‘Behind the Glamour: Cultural Significance of Qing-dynasty Imperial Dress’ (see online version 華彩的背後－清代宮廷服飾的文化內涵) based on a lecture by Yan Yong, Research Fellow at the Palace Museum. This is very informative about the robes of the emperor, and the rules on what he should wear on which occasion and why.

If you are interested in the newspaper, please visit: Wen Wei Po. For more background information on this and other media in Hong Kong, you may wish to read ch. 5 ‘Media Structure and Regime Change in Hong Kong’ by Chin-Chuan Lee, in The Challenge of Hong Kong’s Reintegration with China, edited by Ming K. Chan (Hong Kong University Press, 1997).

Written by: Audrey

March 8, 2012

Professor Chen Fukang, Research Fellow and PhD supervisor, Institute of Language and Literature, Shanghai International Studies University is at the Chinese Civilisation Centre to give three talks in the Centre’s Research Seminar Series.

On Monday, Professor Chen held his first talk on ‘Zheng Zhenduo and the Collection of Historical Documents’, and continued yesterday with a second lecture ‘Zheng Zhenduo and Efforts to Salvage China’s Cultural Heritage.’ Zheng Zhenduo (1898–1958) was an intellectual who was mainly active in the academia, and well-known for his contribution to Chinese literature and archaeology.

Besides extensive knowledge about Zheng Zhenduo, Professor Chen is extremely familiar with literary sources, e.g. during the lecture he cited quotes from letters. As he explained, he found some of these primary sources in the national library of Taiwan and based on his experience he was able to decipher some of the more cryptic names in the documents.

So while learning about Zheng Zhenduo, the lectures are also a good inspiration for new ideas in methodology and approach. Professor Chen’s third and last lecture will be held tomorrow, Friday 9 March 2012 at 3:30 pm. The topic is ‘Zheng Zhenduo and Research into Classical Chinese Literature’. Be sure not to miss it.

Written by: Audrey

February 16, 2012

For research purposes I often consult late 19th-century literature including T’oung Pao: International Journal of Chinese Studies. Although many readers will be familiar with the journal, I give here the description on the website: ‘Founded in 1890, T’oung Pao has long been the leading scholarly journal on all aspects of traditional China. In the course of its existence, it has featured a wide range of formative contributions to Sinology by almost all major scholars in this field of ever-increasing importance. Peer-reviewed, under the guidance of its main editors, T’oung Pao regularly presents the best new scholarship on China and also includes an extensive book review section.’

The journal was founded back then by the eminent scholars Henri Cordier (1849–1925) and Gustav Schlegel (1840–1903) who gave the journal a European flavour and French-Dutch editorship was upheld for many decades. In recent times, however, the editorship has gone beyond European borders, for it is currently edited by Pierre-Etienne Will (Collège de France, Paris), Martin Kern (Princeton University) and Paul W. Kroll (University of Colorado at Boulder). Still, according to the ‘Instructions for Authors’: ‘Submissions may be in English or French; submissions in other major European languages will also be considered.’

Written by: Audrey

February 3, 2012

In my lecture on modern Chinese literature I always emphasize the importance of Lu Xun (1881-1936). Until now, I have not yet had a student saying s/he has heard of the name.

Besides introducing his life and work, I also tell them this anecdote about him when he was studying medicine in Japan. During biology class the teacher showed a slide depicting a scene from the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-5 in which Chinese men are staring at the execution of their compatriot. Lu Xun later recalls ‘Though they were all of them perfectly sturdy physical specimens, every face was utterly, stupidly blank.’

That was when Lu Xun realized that what the Chinese needed was not medical help, but a cure for their mental state: ‘Literature and the arts, I decided at the time, were the best means to this end. And so I reinvented myself as a crusader for cultural reform.’ So he cast aside his aspiration to become a physician and devoted himself to writing.

As his grandson Zhou Lingfei also emphasizes, it is Lu Xun’s spirit that is so important, he wrote the truth about society and figures like Ah-Q still exist in China. So for a better understanding of China, both Chinese and western readers are encouraged to read Lu Xun.

There are several English translations available, the most recent being: The Real Story of Ah-Q and Other Tales of China: The Complete Fiction of Lu Xun (2009), translated with an introduction by Julia Lovell, and published in the Penguin Classics. The quotes above are from this book.

Written by: Audrey

January 13, 2012

Volume 2, no. 1, of Chinese Literature Today (CLT) has come out. CLT, which is published at the University of Oklahoma, features both original literary works and scholarly essays, poetry, short stories, novel excerpts, book reviews (of titles in English and Chinese), interviews, and visual arts. To promote the journal, the Deputy Editor in Chief, Professor Jonathan Stalling posted an announcement on the MCLC list to invite all to sign up for a free issue. All you have to do is visit the CLT website  and fill out the form. When I received my digital copy (free print copies are only for US citizens) I had to register with Zinio to get access to the magazine.

Listed in the table of contents are: Li Ang’s short story ‘Beef Noodles’ and a conversation between ‘Bright’ and ‘Dark’ Li Ang, an excerpt from Sandalwood Death—Mo Yan’s new novel, featured scholar and translator Howard Goldblatt: an overview of his career and a self-interview, the shifting landscapes of contemporary Chinese photography, Luo Qing and Che Qianzi: the rebirth of China’s painter-poets, travelling poetry and the presence of soul: new poems and an interview with Wang Jiaxin. On the cover of the issue is the work ‘Moon 2’ by Chinese artist Chen Nong, depicting an astronaut on the moon amidst the terracotta warriors.

Access via Zinio makes it easy to read whenever convenient; texts and illustrations are clear and in full colour. The issue is quite substantial and I have not yet read all, but I would highly recommend it to all (Chinese) art and literature aficionados.

Written by: Audrey

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