The IAS Guest Lecture of the 2022 – 2023 academic year“Mei Langfang’s Visit to US in 1930” was successfully held at the E34 – G011(Lecture Hall) of the University of Macau on June 1, 2023.
Professor Hong provided ample evidence of the success of Mei’s visit to the US by using a wide range of materials and data from both China and America. He identified three factors that contributed to the success of the visit. First, Mei’s team was based on the people and the reasonable use of official assistance. Second, the team modified BeijingOpera to suit American tastes. Third, the storytelling ability of Beijing Opera attracted the audience unexpectedly.
Mei’s success suggests that we should be confident and modest in cultural diplomacy. Cultural reform needs to select the essence and discard the dross while maintaining Chinese characteristics. It is important to constantly revise and maintain vibrant cultural exchanges.
This lecture attracted teachers and students from different fields and majors both online and on-site. It provided the audience with the opportunity to learn and communicate, promoting interdisciplinary research exchange and collaboration.
