China's Greatest Poet: In the Footsteps of Du Fu [Book Launch]
| Dates: | 7 November 2023 |
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| Times: | 17:00 - 18:30 |
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| What is it: | Book launch |
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| Organiser: | Manchester China Institute |
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| Who is it for: | University staff, External researchers, Adults, Current University students, General public |
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| Speaker: | Michael Wood |
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Join us for the in-person launch of Michael Wood's latest book, "China's Greatest Poet: In the Footsteps of Du Fu", held at Portico Library.
Du Fu (712-70) is one of China’s greatest poets. His career coincided with periods of famine, war and huge upheaval, yet his secular philosophical vision, combined with his empathy for the common folk of his nation, ensured that he soon became revered. Like Shakespeare or Dante, his poetry resonates in a timeless manner that ensures it is always relevant and offers something new to the modern generation.
Now, in this beautifully illustrated book, broadcaster and historian Michael Wood follows in his footsteps to try to understand the places that inspired Du Fu to write some of the most famous and best-loved poetry the world has known. The themes he wrote about – friendship, family, human suffering – are universal and in our troubled times are just as relevant as they were almost 1,300 years ago.
Speaker
Michael Wood
Role: Public History Professor
Organisation: The University of Manchester
Biography: Michael Wood is a historian, broadcaster and author. He was appointed Professor of Public History at The University of Manchester in 2013. His special academic interest is in Anglo-Saxon history, and the origins of the English monarchy and state in the tenth century. Michael is the author of several highly praised books on English history and well over one hundred documentary films, among them In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great, The Story of China and The Story of India which the Wall Street Journal described as ‘the gold standard’ of documentary history making’. Michael was awarded the Historical Association’s Medlicott Medal for outstanding services to history, and received the British Academy’s President’s Medal (2015) for outreach in history.
Travel and Contact Information
Find event
The Portico Library
57 Mosley Street
Manchester
