China's ancient poems for the modern era
Tim Clissold, Senior Research Associate of the China Centre, Jesus College, and author of three books on China, including Mr China, will deliver a lecture on China's ancient poetry and the framework this may provide for better mutual understanding. The lecture will be followed by a question and answer session.
The rejuvenation of China is the most important event of our lifetimes, more so even than the fall of the Berlin Wall. That was a realignment within one civilisation; this is a massive transfer of wealth, power and confidence from one civilisation to another. Yet Westerners generally know so little of how Chinese people think; the truth is that ‘they know more about us than we know about them’ and that gives them a competitive advantage. What can we learn from China’s ancient poets about how contemporary Chinese society works? What can their lines teach us about ourselves today? Can China’s ancient poetry provide a framework for better mutual understanding? Tim Clissold will discuss his forthcoming book, Cloud Chamber, which will be published this month by the Commercial Press of China.
Tim Clissold graduated in Physics and Theoretical Physics from Jesus College, Cambridge, in 1982. He has lived and worked in China for nearly thirty years and published three books on Chinese business, society, history and classical poetry. He is fluent in written and spoken Chinese and has travelled extensively into remote regions of China. His most recent book, Cloud Chamber, will be published this year by the Commercial Press of China, China’s oldest publisher. For many years, he has specialised in cross cultural dispute resolution, developing and implementing practical solutions to intractable conflicts that have occurred between Western and Chinese organisations.
This is one of the lectures in the on-going China Centre Seminar series, hosted by the China Centre, Jesus College. The lectures, given by eminent speakers, cover a broad range of topics and disciplines.
Booking
This is a virtual seminar. Attendance is free. Advance booking is required by emailing: china-centre@jesus.cam.ac.uk. Priority will be given to members of Jesus College and the University of Cambridge.
