Prof. Geng Youzhuang from RUC delivered a speech titled “Truthfulness of Literature and Fiction of History-- Foreign Imagination in the History of Cultural Exchanges” on Oct. 26th, 2017, marking the beginning of the event held in honor of the anniversary of this college.
In his speech, Prof. Geng Youzhuang started by briefing Victor Segalen’s books about Chinese culture, quoting some of his books such as Stèles, Le Filsdu Ciel, Tibet and Great Exploration of China. Next, he introduced a number of famous writers, philosophers and poets emerged in Western literature, including Jorge Luis Borges, Foucault, Hegel, Pound and Fenollosa, to deconstruct foreign imagination in the history of cultural exchanges between the east and the west through their literary works. At the end of his speech, Prof. Geng Youzhuang interacted with the teaching faculty and the students of this college.
As summarized by Prof. Du Hui, Prof. Geng’s lecture presented us with a time travel, letting us appreciate the broad and profound Chinese culture, which greatly attracts many scholars in Western literature and further enhances our cultural self-confidence. Besides, the lecture has broadened our horizons and provided a significant guidance in our future academic researches.
Prof. Geng Youzhuang is a member of Expert Review Group in The National Social Science Fund of China. He is also the deputy director of Center for Chinese Studies, RUC, researcher of Institute of Christian Culture, chief editor of both World Sinology and Foreign Literature Studies. In addition, he also plays a role in the Editorial Board of Journal for the Study of Christian Culture as well as Critical Research on Religion. (Reported by Luo Rongrong)
