On the afternoon of March 28, 2025, Professor Zhao Baisheng, a professor and PhD supervisor at Peking University’s School of Foreign Languages, delivered the first lecture of “Wu Mi Grand Lecture Series”, also the No. 46 of “The Distinguished Lecture Series” at SFL, NWU. In addition to his academic role, Professor Zhao is also the Director of the World Biography Research Center, the Secretary-General of the Center for Intercultural Studies, the President of the Sino-Foreign Biography Literature Research Association, the President of the World Literature Society, the Chairman of the World Ecoculture Organization, the Founder of the International Biography Literature Society, and the Founder of the China-ASEAN Intercultural Research Institute. The lecture, titled “Diary Literature: The Underlying Logic of World Literature – An In-Depth Analysis of Wu Mi’s Diaries,” was attended by approximately 110 faculty members and students. The lecture was hosted by Dr. Su Rui, the Associate Dean of the School of Foreign Languages.
Professor Zhao Baisheng emphasized that diary literature is the cornerstone of world literature. However, as a literary genre, due to its documentary nature, secrecy, bibliographic qualities, and voluminous content, diary literature is often relegated to obscurity by literary historians. It is frequently overlooked, sometimes dismissed as the “ugly duckling” of literature. Professor Zhao explored the categorization of diary literature, delved into its value, and illuminated its characteristics. The core text for his analysis was the extensive collection of Wu Mi Diaries published by SDX Joint Publishing Company. He also referenced Tsinghua Garden Diaries by Ji Xianlin, a disciple of Wu Mi, to illustrate that Wu Mi was an exceptional diarist of unparalleled stature.
During the session, Professor Zhao engaged in a lively and in-depth discussion with faculty and students on topics related to diary writing and the study of diary literature. Attendees gained a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted value of diaries as a literary form. They no longer viewed diaries merely as a means of recording personal trivialities, but instead came to appreciate their unique narrative charm and emotional intensity in the field of literary creation. Moreover, they recognized the rich cultural connotations and distinct historical imprint that lie hidden behind diaries, which await further exploration.
Speaker: Professor Zhao Baisheng
Host: Vice Dean Su Rui
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Group Photo
Text: Li Chaoyan
Image: Qu Yuanjun
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