.jpeg)
To commemorate our 5th anniversary, we’ve invited eminent international scholars to deliver lectures on topics related to “Dream of Red Chamber.” The subject matter has been designed primarily to cater to the interests of Malaysian classical literature enthusiasts, with focus on aesthetics, film and television adaptation, medicine, and family ethics. These lectures will be carried out in a hybrid format, providing the public with the opportunity to relish high-quality lectures alongside UM students.
Date: 17th May 2021 (Wednesday)
Time: 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Speaker: Prof. Sun Weike (Chinese National Academy of Arts)
Speaker Introduction: Professor Sun Weike received his Doctor of Arts degree from the Chinese National Academy of Arts and is currently the head of the Hong Lou Meng research center, the editor-in-chief of Studies on “A Dream of Red Mansions”, and the chairman of the Society of “A Dream of Red Mansions”. His research areas include Hong Lou Meng and aesthetic theory, among others. With over 200 papers and 6 books published, he has received numerous awards for his outstanding scientific research.
Recap:
On 17 May, 2023, we are honored to invite Professor Sun Weike from the Chinese National Academy of Arts to deliver a lecture titled “The Aesthetic Appraisal of Character Analysis in the ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’.” The characters in the “Dream of the Red Chamber” represents the beginning of a profound and captivating aesthetic world. Professor Sun assumes that it is a process of psychological identification, emotional resonance, and seeking common ideology while still preserving differences between the reader and the author when we read novels. In life, people often seek to satisfy their moral sense through moral evaluation. So, in what aesthetic context should we evaluate the characters in “Dream of the Red Chamber”?
According to Professor Sun, the characters in “Dream of the Red Chamber” are literary and aesthetic rather than moral. While art may promote morality, if it is over-exaggerated, it can lead to misunderstandings of art, misunderstandings of self, and ultimately, misleading the society. During the two-hour session, Professor Sun provided numerous examples of characters in “Dream of the Red Chamber”, and his intriguing and inspiring speech are greatly beneficial to the students.
Date: 24th May 2021 (Wednesday)
Time: 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Speaker: Dr. Yu-Ming Chang (Guangxi Normal University)
Speaker Introduction: Dr. Chang has a Doctorate in Chinese Studies from National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan and is currently a lecturer at Guangxi Normal University. She is the member of the Cao Xueqin Society, Beijing and the Society of “A Dream of Red Mansions.” Dr. Chang’s research areas focus on modernizing Hong Lou Meng, including film and television adaptations, cultural creations of “Dream of Red Mansions,” and a comprehensive reading of the entire book.
Recap:
On 24 May, 2023, we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Chang Yuming, a lecturer at Guangxi Normal University, who delivered a lecture titled “Traditional Chinese Medicine and Health Preservation in the ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’- An analysis of Qin Keqing, Wang Xifeng, Lin Daiyu, and Xue Baochai.” The characters in a novel, particularly in “Dream of Red Chamber,” serve as the essential elements driving the plot forward. While their description of symptoms can be noticed as the observation of emotional externalization that affected by the characters’ personalities. Dr. Chang’s interdisciplinary analysis of the four women’s appearances, personalities, and symptoms from a physiological perspective was an attempt to reconcile disciplinary barriers.
Through the approaches of traditional Chinese medicine and health preservation, Dr. Chang’s interpretation enriched the characters in the “Dream of Red Chamber,” providing a fresh perspective for us. The lecture was well-received by the audience, and traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, Mr. Chang, was even present to answer related questions and share wellness tips to us.
Date: 31st May 2021 (Wednesday)
Time: 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Speaker: Mr. Pu Hang (The Member of Cao Xueqin Society, Beijing)
Speaker Introduction: Pu Hang is a prominent scholar who has made significant contributions to promoting traditional culture. He is also a cultural guest of China Media Group and has collaborated with various institutions, including Grand View Garden, Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, Taiyuan Library, to host over 200 cultural lectures. His lectures have garnered an audience of nearly 500,000 individuals.
Recap:
On 31 May, 2023, we had the privilege of hosting a lecture by the young scholar, Mr. Pu Hang, titled “Exploring the Literary Characteristics of ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’ from the Perspective of Artistic Adaptation”. In recent years, the transformation of novels into visual media, particularly film and television, has become a prevailing trend, leading to a proliferation of adaptations. However, artistic adaptations of novels face a delicate balance. Staying too close to the original text may fail to bring out its unique qualities, while making radical changes to the plot can invite scrutiny and criticism from the audience. This dilemma not only serves as a litmus test for the adaptors' comprehension of the source material but also challenges their ability to navigate the inherent narrative tensions.
Mr Pu Hang astutely noted that contemporary adaptation methods are multifaceted, encompassing various formats, each with its own merits and shortcomings. Looking ahead, it is incumbent upon creators to leverage the strengths of these diverse adaptation approaches while addressing their limitations, ultimately enriching the landscape of artistic adaptations with exceptional works.
Date: 7st June 2021 (Wednesday)
Time: 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Speaker: Prof. Duan Jiangli (Beijing Language and Culture University)
Speaker Introduction: Professor Duan is an esteemed professor at Beijing Language and Culture University and an executive director of the Society of “A Dream of Red Mansions” and vice-chairman of the Cao Xueqin Society. She has researched extensively on Classical Chinese fiction, Novel Theory, and Sinology in Japan. She has published over 100 papers and 8 books, including “On the Family Roles of Characters in Dreams of the Red Mansions” and “Research on ‘Cao Xueqin and Beijing.’”
Recap:
On 7 June, 2023, we concluded the 5th anniversary lecture series with great honor, featuring Professor Duan Jiangli from the Institute of Chinese Culture Studies at Beijing Language and Culture University. Professor Duan delivered a lecture titled "Chinese Traditional Family Ethics in the “Dream of the Red Chamber”. As a masterpiece of classical literature, "Dream of the Red Chamber" not only portrays the rise and fall of the four major families, Jia, Shi, Wang, and Xue, but also intricately explores the nuances of traditional Chinese family ethics. In essence, it serves as an exemplary model for examining and understanding these traditional ethical values.
"Dream of the Red Chamber" transcends the boundaries of mere fiction; it provides readers a glimpse to traditional Chinese family ethics, prompting us to engage in more nuanced contemplation of these ethical concepts. Professor Duan emphasized that we should acknowledge the limitations of conservative ethics while appreciating the positive values inherent in rules promoting filial piety, respect, kind and loving.
