‘Hu Shih and the New Culture Movement’ exhibition opens in Berlin
May 23, 2019
Peking University, May 22, 2019: On the occasion of the centennial anniversary of the May Fourth Movement and the New Culture Movement, the “Hu Shih and the New Culture Movement” exhibition opened on May 15 at the Confucius Institute, the Free University of Berlin.
Hu Shih was one of the leading intellectuals during the May Fourth Movement and later the New Culture Movement. His most important contribution was the promotion of vernacular Chinese in literature to replace Classical Chinese.
The exhibition showcased Hu’s work and life during the New Culture Movement, including his study in the United States, his appeal for the literary revolution, his ties with the influential journal New Youth and so on. With various texts, pictures and audio material, the exhibition also featured Hu’s links with German academia and displayed some historical documents for the first time.
Professor Ouyang Zhesheng, who is working at the Department of History at Peking University, delivered a speech on Hu’s international exchanges during the New Culture Movement at the opening ceremony.
At the Opening Ceremony
The exhibition is jointly held by the Confucius Institute, the Free University of Berlin and the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, Peking University, with support from Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities.
The Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at Peking University and Peking University Library held “Hu Shih and Peking University” exhibition in September, 2016 to mark the 70th anniversary of Hu’s appointment as president of Peking University. Hu returned to lecture in Peking University in 1917 and then served as president between 1946 and 1948. The exhibition showcased selective documents during his tenure in Peking University and was highly admired by visitors.
Written by: Liu Yutong
Edited by: Huang Weijian
Source: PKU News (Chinese)
