Themes of traditional values, Marxism and patriotism have recently filled Chinese arts and literature. Recently, experts from SWPS University participated in a webinar to explore how artists navigate these ideological influences. Watch the recording to discover how the policies of the Chinese Communist Party impact creative expression.
When art mixes with ideology
During the webinar, Professor Olga Lomová from Charles University in Prague shared her unique perspective on the current artistic reality in China. Her presentation set the stage for a discussion featuring sinologists from SWPS University: Professor Marcin Jacoby, Dr. František Reismüller, and Piotr Machajek.
The meeting addressed key questions, such as:
- How do Chinese artists and writers adapt to this political environment?
- Can artists use their art to express agreement with the official discourse or to criticize it?
- What strategies exist for navigating censorship?
- Is it possible to create art freely, without ideological influence, in Xi Jinping’s China?
Watch the webinar
Meet the experts
Professor
Olga Lomová
Is a Professor of Chinese literature at the Charles University in Prague. She teaches about Chinese poetry (both pre-modern and 20th century), history of European study of China, and on PRC ideology and self-representation. Her research includes Tang poetry, Six Dynasties poetry and prose, early Chinese historiography, particularly the work of Sima Quian, and intellectual and cultural transformation in China in the early 20th century.
Ph.D. / Associate Professor
Marcin Jacoby
Is a sinologist, translator, and cultural manager. He serves as the head of the Asian Civilisation Research Center at SWPS University. His area of expertise includes social and political issues of the East Asia region, in particular China and the Republic of Korea. He is interested in the historical and cultural roots of transformational processes of this region. He carries out research on Chinese classical literature and culture of ancient China.
Ph.D.
František Reismüller
Is a sinologist, translator and cultural manager. He works as a researcher at SWPS University.
Piotr Machajek
Is a sinologist, translator and literature scholar, specializing in contemporary Chinese literature. He is a Ph.D. candidate at SWPS University.
Organizer
The project “China Horizons – Dealing With a Resurgent China” (DWARC) has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under grant agreement number 101061700.