Xujiahui and Tu Shan Wan: The Other Origin of European Culture in Shanghai
By Professor Li Tiangang
Tuesday February 10th 7p.m. (refreshments) 7.30p.m. (talk)
Figaro Coffee Shop, 2nd floor. 160 Xingye Road, Xintiandi
Today Xujiahui may be better known for its commercial activity, but during the 19th century this area was the site of a remarkable episode in Shanghai’s religious, cultural and scientific history. In the mid 16th century a group of Roman Jesuits arrived in China with the aim of bringing Catholicism to China. This talk explores their impact on Shanghai, and the creation of the Jesuit compound at Xujiahui that became famous for its scholarship, charitable work and scientific endeavor. A lasting monument to this is the library at Xujiahui, which houses the surviving part of the Jesuit library, as well as the former library of the North China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society.
Li Tiangang is Professor in the Department of Religious Studies, College of Philosophy, Fudan University, Shanghai. He has held appointments as a Visiting Scholar at many prestigious North American and European institutions including the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; the Maison des Sciences de L’homme, Paris; and the Harvard Yenching Institute. He is the author of numerous publications on religious studies, as well as Shanghai history.
ENTRANCE: 30 Rmb for members, 80 Rmb for guests – includes tea or coffee.
Membership applications and membership renewals will be available this evening.