Peking University, September 27, 2021: In memory of the 90th anniversary of the death of Gibran Kahlil Gibran, founder and pioneer of modern Arabian literature with renown in global literary circles, the Department of Arabic Language and Culture of the School of Foreign Languages (SFL) of Peking University, along with research institutions inside and outside the school, held the symposium dedicated to the 90th anniversary of Gibran’s death. Milia Jabbour, Ambassador of Lebanon to China, attended the symposium and delivered a speech. PKU President Hao Ping and Vice President Wang Bo met with her at Linhuxuan.
Group Photo of the Meeting
President Hao Ping welcomed Milia Jabbour and pointed out the long history of cultural communication between Lebanon and China. He also expressed his hope that Peking University can play a leading role in academic communication and the development of higher education in the two countries, and that the bilateral cooperation can be kept and promoted to a higher level.
Milia Jabbour showed her appreciation towards the symposium and the organizers. She emphasized indispensable common grounds in popular feelings in bilateral communication, and the close relationship in culture between China and Lebanon with similarities in ideas and values despite the remote geographical distance. She also hoped to enhance the cooperative relationship with PKU in more programs.
Group Photo of Participants
The symposium was held both online and offline at the New Building of SFL, and participants from several colleges thoroughly discussed topics like Gibran’s artistic and literary works, his innovative ideas and literary influence from different perspectives.
Milia Jabbour said at the opening ceremony that despite his Lebanese origin, Gibran is actually a “world citizen” with his influence surpassing the boundary between East and West. She mentioned that it is more necessary for us to read Gibran’s works at a time of frequent conflicts to build a bridge of communication and a world of more tolerance and humanity. Many other speakers also fully recognized the literary value and social significance of Gibran.
The symposium had a great academic and realistic significance in deepening Chinese scholars’ understanding of Gibran’s works and promoting the development of Chinese research on Arabic literature and even other foreign literature.
Written by: An Xinyu
Edited by: Ye Yimeng
