With the recent academic upsurge in revision of modern Chinese literary history, more attention has been paid to classical-style poetry in modern China and other Sinitic-speaking localities. In the case of Singapore, existing studies either overemphasize the genre’s affinity with contemporary affairs in China or present it without sufficient explanation of its close relationship with Chinese literary tradition.

Join us for an enlightening session with Dr Lap Lam, author of Cultural Transplantation: The Writing of Classical Chinese Poetry in Colonial Singapore (1887‒1945), in which he attempts to illustrate classical-style poetry’s uniqueness, compatibility, and adaptability in local contexts in the process of placement, as well as its sustained connections with literary tradition and homeland. Through extensive case and genre studies, he demonstrates how the reading of classical Chinese poetry can better our understanding of colonial Singapore’s political, social, and cultural history; how it can deepen knowledge of the transregional relationship between China and Nanyang, and fine-tune, redress, and enrich our perception of Singapore Chinese literature, Sinophone literature, Chinese diaspora, and global Chinese identity.

The session will also feature a special commentary by Dr Jon Eugene von Kowallis from the University of New South Wales. A renowned scholar in Chinese literature, Dr Kowallis will offer his expert analysis and contextual understanding of the book.

Our librarian Chai Khim will also share valuable library resources on Chinese Literature in Colonial Singapore. Last but not least, guests are invited to view a curated selection of related works on display, providing further context and opportunities for exploration.

This event is part of the new Roots & Reflection series.

The Roots & Reflections workshop series explores the rich tapestry of Southeast Asian history and cultural heritage, fostering a deeper understanding of our shared and diverse heritage and evolving cultural identities, as documented in NUS Libraries' historical collections.