On September 12, Péter Hajdu, Professor at Shenzhen University, Editor-in-Chief of Neohelicon (an A&HCI-indexed journal), and President of the Hungarian Comparative Literature Association, visited the School of Foreign Languages to deliver a special lecture titled Urban Landscapes and Literature.
The lecture delved into the ideological dimensions embedded in urban landscapes and the interpretation and influence of literary works on such landscapes. Hosted by Professor Su Ping, Editor-in-Chief of Island Studies Journal (an SSCI-indexed journal) at the School of Foreign Languages, the event was attended by Dr. Chen Huafei, as well as master's and doctoral students in related research fields.
At the beginning of the lecture, Professor Hajdu used the example of the ancient Acropolis of Athens and its two temples, combining literary texts and archaeological findings, to analyze how urban landscapes carry and convey ideologies. He emphasized that urban spaces are not merely physical entities but also crucial carriers of culture and thought. Through further examples from ancient Rome, Professor Hajdu elucidated the complex and dynamic relationship between urban landscapes and ideology, highlighting the symbolic nature of landscapes and their role in constructing social memory.
Subsequently, the professor explored the profound impact of literary works on urban landscapes through examples such as street naming in Budapest, public monuments, and the reconstruction of Kossuth Square. He proposed that literature not only reflects the image of a city but also actively participates in shaping and redefining its meaning. By analyzing the interaction between Hungarian literature and urban renewal in Budapest, Professor Hajdu demonstrated the pivotal role of literature in forming political and cultural identities within public spaces.
Finally, during the discussion session, faculty and students engaged in lively debates on topics such as the multiplicity of urban narratives, interdisciplinary research between literature and architecture, and a comparative analysis of urban cultures in Budapest and Guangzhou. Professor Péter Hajdu and Professor Su Ping engaged in an in-depth dialogue on related issues, fostering a dynamic and multifaceted exchange.
This lecture not only provided attendees with a deeper understanding of the interactive relationship between urban landscapes and literature but also offered new perspectives and methodologies for urban cultural studies and urban planning. It is believed that future academic research and practice will place greater emphasis on exploring this dynamic relationship, injecting new vitality into urban development and cultural heritage.
Speaker Profile:
Péter Hajdu is a Professor at Shenzhen University, Editor-in-Chief of Neohelicon (an A&HCI-indexed journal), and President of the Hungarian Comparative Literature Association. His research areas encompass comparative literature, literary theory, narratology, and classical philology. He has served as a member of the East and Southeast European Research Committee of the International Comparative Literature Association (ICLA), a standing committee member of the Literary Theory Research Association, an executive council member of ICLA, and Secretary-General of the Hungarian Comparative Literature Association. He has lectured at numerous universities in Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, China, and Japan. Professor Hajdu has authored six monographs, published over 130 academic papers, presented his research findings at more than 70 international academic conferences, and served as the editor or co-editor of 15 collected volumes. He has also acted as a guest editor for three special issues of international academic journals.
