East West Question, Sinologist | Shi Mengnian: "Willful Youth" Accompanied by Chinese Culture for Life in China | Belgium | | History

In August of this year, the renowned Belgian sinologist and former dean of the Belgian Institute of Chinese Studies, Simonien, celebrated his 89th birthday. Walking into his apartment in the bustling center of Brussels, Belgium, where he takes a break, the living room is filled with Chinese furniture and calligraphy, and outside the window is the headquarters of the European Union in Brussels, separated by a street.

This scene carries a strong fusion of Chinese and Western elements, and in a sense, it can be considered a portrayal of Shi Mengnian's life. Born into a wealthy notary family in the southern province of Luxembourg, Belgium, Simone was supposed to inherit his father's business and become a wealthy lawyer. However, he was young and capricious, and his exposure to Chinese culture from university was unstoppable. He not only became the first local scholar in Europe to write a doctoral thesis on Chinese calligraphy and law, but also served as a Belgian cultural commissioner in Hong Kong and Beijing in the 1970s. Shi Mengnian served as the Dean of the Belgian Higher Han Institute for a long time, dedicated to promoting and disseminating Chinese culture.

From the rebellious youth of the past to the now elderly, Shi Mengnian, who lived with Chinese culture for a lifetime, claims to be "half a Chinese". Recently, Shi Mengnian accepted an interview with China News Agency's "East West Question" to talk about his long-standing relationship with Chinese culture.

The summary of the interview transcript is as follows:

Zhong Xin She Shi Mengnian: My father is a local notary public, and his family's conditions are good, but there are many rules. When he was young, he really wanted to work and live in a farther place.

Due to my family's desire for my son to inherit his father's business, I first studied law and economics at the University of Leuven in Belgium. At that time, I could choose to take a foreign language. I thought "China is so far away from me", so I chose Chinese. However, when I saw Chinese characters, I liked them very much and found them very interesting.

After returning to Europe, I continued my studies at the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Culture in France, completing my doctoral thesis on Chinese calligraphy and becoming the first local scholar in Europe to write a doctoral thesis on Chinese calligraphy.

Zhongxin Society History Meng Nian: Chinese calligraphy is very beautiful and has many similarities with Western aesthetics. Picasso's works do not have Chinese characters, but from an aesthetic perspective, one can clearly feel the influence of Chinese calligraphy; Chinese calligraphy has undergone endless changes, including running script, cursive script, regular script, and so on. In Wang Xizhi's Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Collection, there are many different ways of writing with just one "zhi" character... These changes themselves are an art form, and I am deeply attracted by them.

In 2009, as a curator for example, I collaborated with the National Art Museum of China, the Palace Museum, and others to hold the "Zai Xu Lan Ting: Chinese Calligraphy Exhibition" at the Royal Museum of Art in Belgium, showcasing the charm of Chinese calligraphy to European audiences. At that time, the exhibition lasted for three and a half months, showcasing over 100 calligraphy masterpieces, including both ancient classics and contemporary works. Whether it was the scale of the exhibition or the rarity of the exhibits, they are still rare in Europe today. This exhibition fulfilled my long cherished wish.

I have always felt that I am "half Chinese". If I were born in China, I would definitely become a calligrapher.

Zhong Xin She Shi Meng Nian: The Belgian Higher Han Institute was established in 1929 using part of the Boxer Indemnity; As an independent academic institution, it is currently located within the Royal Museum of Art and History in Belgium.

The college has a Chinese library with an extremely rich collection of books, including the only set of "Complete Library of Four Branches" in Belgium, as well as 17th century Latin versions of Chinese maps, specialized works on Chinese art history and archaeology, books and picture albums introducing Chinese culture such as bronze, ceramics, calligraphy and painting, seal cutting, architecture, gardens, and clothing. It plays an important role in Belgian sinology research and Chinese book collection.

The college also offers year-round training courses in calligraphy, painting, Chinese language, and other fields, dedicated to promoting and disseminating Chinese culture. At the end of each semester, a joint exhibition of calligraphy and painting between teachers and students is organized to showcase the learning achievements of students and attract more Belgian people who are interested in Chinese culture.

Zhong Xin She Shi Meng Nian: I believe that Chinese characters and calligraphy are extremely unique and completely different from Western scripts. Westerners tend to have abstract thinking, such as in ancient Greek culture, while Chinese characters and calligraphy have strong visual appeal and can bring unique artistic experiences and enjoyment. It can be said that they belong to "another world" and are a different kind of thinking and concept.

China is a multi-ethnic country, and being able to connect so many ethnic groups together, Chinese characters have played an important role as bridges and bonds, which is also its uniqueness.

For me, although Eastern and Western cultures may differ and sometimes even belong to "two worlds," the two are not contradictory, but complementary to each other. We should exchange and learn from each other for our own benefit.

Shi Mengnian of China News Agency: I think more people should be encouraged to have contact with and understand Chinese culture. For example, even if you don't understand Chinese characters, it's okay. You can first appreciate Chinese calligraphy as a painting, feel the beauty of Chinese calligraphy, and then further understand Chinese calligraphy through learning Chinese.

In the 1970s, I was sent to work in Hong Kong and Beijing as a Belgian cultural commissioner. Every Belgian ambassador to China arrives, we joke about educating the ambassador and taking them to Beijing to increase their emotional understanding of China. Compared to that time, China's economy is developing rapidly and the country has undergone tremendous changes. We should have more confidence in Chinese culture and promote cultural exchange and mutual learning between the East and the West.

Interviewee profile:

Interviewee profile: Shi Mengnian, a renowned Belgian sinologist and former dean of the Belgian Higher Institute of Chinese Studies. The first local scholar in Europe to write a doctoral thesis in Chinese calligraphy, organized and planned a large-scale exhibition of Chinese calligraphy in Belgium, promoting the research and dissemination of Chinese calligraphy art in the European sinology community.