Transitioning into the vernacular: China and Greece in parallel
This session will revolve around the figures of Hu Shih (1891-1962) and Nikos Kazantzakis (1883-1957), leading intellectuals in China and Greece respectively in the early 20th century and fervent supporters of the use of the vernacular language in their national literatures. Were they coming from a common background? Is there a way we could associate their work, despite their geographical and cultural differences? What could the case of Kazantzakis and Hu Shih contribute to current debates on World Literature theory?

Claudio Russello holds an MA in theory and practice of translation from and into Chinese (SOAS, University of London) and an MSt in modern Greek studies (University of Oxford). He is currently a DPhil candidate in modern Greek studies at the University of Oxford. His doctoral research focuses on the role of modernism throughout the 1960s in Greece. His research interests include comparative and world literature, translation theory, and reception studies in Greek literature.

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Date: 16 November 2020, 13:00 (Monday, 6th week, Michaelmas 2020)
Venue: This event will be live-streamed via Microsoft Teams
Speaker: Claudio Russello
Organisers: Anna Saroldi, Mariachiara Leteo
Organiser contact email address: anna.saroldi@merton.ox.ac.uk
Part of: Oxford Comparative Criticism and Translation
Booking required?: Required
Booking url: https://forms.gle/VZHLBBKAwwGgxvMK9
Audience: Members of the University only
Editor: Sadie Slater