Join us for a captivating lecture on the literary achievements of Kenneth Pai (白先勇), one of the most influential contemporary Chinese American writers whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of literature. Professor Liu Jun of Nanjing University, a distinguished scholar with extensive expertise in Chinese literature, will lead this insightful exploration.
Kenneth Pai, renowned for his rich storytelling and cultural insights, has crafted a body of work that bridges the East and West, reflecting the complexities of the Chinese diaspora. Professor Liu Jun, author of a biography on Pai, will delve into the intricate layers of Pai’s writing, offering profound insights into the themes, characters, and cultural nuances that define his literary masterpieces.
Noteworthy is Pai’s passionate advocacy for Kunqu Opera, a commitment that has contributed significantly to the preservation of traditional Chinese performing arts. Gain an understanding of how his love for this art form has influenced and enriched his creative endeavors at this lecture.
在20世纪百位杰出华人的评比中，白先勇名列前茅，排第7位，也是健在的第1位。他之前的作家是鲁迅、沈从文、老舍、张爱玲、钱钟书、茅盾，早就被全世界华人和文学评论家广泛认可的经典名家。白先勇以其深邃的历史观和独特的文学才华在华人文坛独树一帜。
白先勇的短篇小说集《寂寞的十七岁》《台北人》《纽约客》，长篇小说《孽子》，散文集《第六只手指》《树犹如此》等，深受海内外读者喜爱。这些作品被翻译成多种语言，影响深远。可见白先勇的作品不仅具有高超的艺术水准，还反映了社会现实和人性的多元面貌，其作品的影响力跨越了国界和年代。
进入晚年的白先勇致力于传承和推广中国传统文化。他制作的青春版昆曲《牡丹亭》，融合了传统与现代元素，为观众带来全新的艺术体验。得到了广泛赞誉和高度评价。白先勇认为：“中国的文化非常的精致、优美，但由于种种原因，在20世纪我们中国人不重视自己的传统文化，甚至痛恨自己的传统文化，这个是不正确的。应该让更多的人了解我们自己悠久的、灿烂的、优美的传统文化。”他的这种观念，无疑为传统文化的传承和发展提供了新的思路。
白先勇先生曾三次做客华美人文学会，做关于《红楼梦》、青春版《牡丹亭》和他写的《白崇禧传》讲座。华美人文学会将于美东时间12月16日晚8时至9时半（北京时间12月17日早9时至10时半）特邀白先勇研究专家刘俊教授做《“情”与”美”——白先勇的文学创作与文化实践》专题讲座。刘教授将介绍白先勇先生的人生经历并深入探讨白先勇先生的文学造诣
China Institute’s cultural programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
The speaker, Prof. Liu Jun, is a distinguished scholar and accomplished academic with a rich background in literature. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Suzhou University in 1986 and obtained his Ph.D. in literature from Nanjing University in 1991. Currently serving as a professor at the College of Literature and a doctoral supervisor, he holds the esteemed position of Director of the Taiwan-Hong Kong and Overseas Chinese Literature Research Center at Nanjing University. His extensive body of notable publications includes a biography of Kenneth Pai.
刘俊， 苏州大学文学学士（1986），南京大学文学博士（1991），现为南京大学文学院教授，博士生导师，南京大学台港暨海外华文文学研究中心主任，教育部“新世纪优秀人才支持计划”获得者，国家社科基金重大项目首席专家；受聘为厦门大学台湾研究中心学术委员会委员，中南财经政法大学兼职教授，暨南大学海外华文文学与汉语传媒研究中心兼职研究员；兼任中国世界华文文学学会名誉副会长；著有《悲悯情怀——白先勇评传》《世界华文文学整体观》《复合互渗的世界华文文学》等论著数种，译有《台湾文学生态——从戒严法则到市场规律》（合译），主编丛书、参编教材若干部；曾在美国Grinnell College和加拿大University of Waterloo等校做访问学者和任教。
