Lecture by Dr. Cui Xiliang in the 47th talk of the “Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series”
The 47th session of the Tan Lark Sye Lecture Series, organized by the Institute of International Education and the Tan Lark Sye Institute of New Era University College, was held on 28 January. The lecture featured Professor Dr. Cui Xiliang from the Department of Linguistics and Applied Linguistics at Beijing Language and Culture University, who delivered a talk entitled “Poetic Spirit and the Art of Elegance: Classical Chinese Poetry and the Refined Life.” During the lecture, Dr. Cui systematically elaborated on the significant role of classical Chinese poetry in the Chinese cultural tradition and guided the audience to re-examine its aesthetic value within both historical contexts and contemporary life.
Professor Dr. Cui Xiliang is currently a Professor of Linguistics and Applied Linguistics at Beijing Language and Culture University, and serves as Director of the International Communication Research Institute of Chinese Calligraphy. He is Vice President of the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching, President of the Beijing Linguistics Society, and a member of the Chinese Poetry Society. He previously served as President of Beijing Language and Culture University from 2005 to 2017. Dr. Cui received his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in Literature from Peking University and holds an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from McMaster University, Canada. His research interests include linguistics, international Chinese language education, and the international communication of Chinese calligraphy, and he has authored numerous academic publications and over one hundred scholarly articles.
In the lecture, Dr. Cui began with the origins and development of classical Chinese poetry, drawing on a wide range of canonical poetic texts to illustrate its importance in Chinese culture and everyday life. He emphasized that poetry not only embodies literary value but also profoundly shapes the aesthetic sensibilities and lifestyles of the Chinese people. By linking poetry with refined cultural practices such as music, chess, calligraphy, painting, wine, tea, flowers, and incense, Dr. Cui further shared his insights into the life interests and spiritual pursuits of traditional Chinese literati.
Following the lecture, participants actively engaged with the speaker during the Q&A session, raising questions on the contemporary significance of classical Chinese poetry, poetic creation, and the modern transformation of traditional culture. Dr. Cui responded thoughtfully to each question, creating a lively and interactive atmosphere. The lecture was moderated by Asst. Prof. Dr. Chan Huan Yun from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, New Era University College, and drew an audience of over 200 participants.
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