Ancient melodies carry on the cultural heritage, and mutual learning among civilizations converges in Hunan. On June 6, 27 renowned sinologists from 26 countries, including Argentina, Belarus, France, and Vietnam, arrived in Changsha and gathered at the Qu Yuan Memorial Temple in Yuelu Academy to participate in a Civilization Lecture Hall event, immersing themselves in the cultural heritage of the thousand-year-old academy and the charm of Huxiang culture.

This event was co-hosted by the Chinese Association for International Understanding and the Office of Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee, and organized by Yuelu Academy of Hunan University.

Visiting sinologists at the Qu Yuan Memorial Temple in Yuelu Academy. (Photo/Zhu Qianxuan)

The Civilization Lecture Hall event was themed "Pragmatism and Mutual Learning Among Civilizations—From Yuelu Academy to World Sinology." Professor Li Weirong from Yuelu Academy at Hunan University delivered a special lecture titled "Huxiang Culture and Hunan Spirit," systematically tracing the evolution of Confucianism, the lineage of Neo-Confucianism in the Song and Ming dynasties, and the southward migration of the Huxiang cultural tradition, while providing an in-depth interpretation of Yuelu Academy's thousand-year-old educational legacy and academic philosophy.

During the event, Chinese and foreign scholars engaged in lively discussions on topics such as sinology research, overseas study programs, and cultural heritage. Małgorzata Religa, head of the Sinology Department at the University of Warsaw in Poland, raised questions on-site, inquiring about the emphasis on pre-Qin Confucian thought and Song-Ming Neo-Confucianism in modern Chinese education, as well as topics and course study models available for international students pursuing studies in China. In response, Professor Li Weirong provided detailed explanations, incorporating insights in explaining the distinctive features and faculty of the Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities of Hunan University.

Pr. NGO Viet Hoan from Vietnam focusing on the academy’s cultural significance and the essence of its classic couplets, raised questions about the core philosophy of a renowned couplet of Yuelu Academy. Professor Li Weirong explained that this couplet highly encapsulates the Confucian core tenets of self-cultivation, moral integrity, and scholarly engagement. The couplet complements Zhang Shi's philosophy of "being committed to imparting wisdom for the benefit of the people," serving as vivid embodiment of the Huxiang School's spirit of pragmatism and dedicated practice, and showcasing the wisdom of navigating life and the sense of responsibility inherent in traditional Chinese culture.

The 27 sinologists came from renowned universities, sinology research institutions, and international cultural communication platforms across various countries. Covering fields such as translation, academic research, cultural exchange, and international cooperation, they are key promoters of civilizational exchanges between China and the world. The researchers will also visit the Hunan First Normal University, the Hunan Museum, Shaoshan, the Malanshan Video Cultural and Creative Industrial Park, and Zoomlion, among other sites, to learn more about the province from multiple perspectives including aspects of Huxiang culture, the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, and the sci-tech innovation industry.

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government. www.enghunan.gov.cn.

责编：王柯沣

一审：王柯沣

二审：秦慧英

三审：张权

来源：湖南省政府门户网