(Kuala Lumpur, 17th) On the occasion of the Lunar New Year festival, Heart Towards the Sun Drama Troupe specially organized the "New Spring Drama Classroom" and the "New Spring Year of the Snake and Drama" exhibition. This event attracted drama enthusiasts and scholars from home and abroad to visit the "Drama Culture Museum" to listen to academic lectures and view precious drama documents of our country.
The event invited and attracted many experts and scholars in the fields of drama, literature, and cultural studies from home and abroad to attend, including Dr. Josh Stenberg, Associate Professor of Chinese Literature and Drama at the University of Sydney, Ho Pei Ying, Head of Art and Exhibition Department of Malaysia Soka Gakkai, Dr. Guo Ziwei, Senior Lecturer in the Chinese Department of the University of Malaya, Dr. Chen Jingyi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Musicology at National Tainan University, Liu Yuhang, Lecturer at the Asian Academy of Television and Performing Arts in China, Huang Bo, Full-time Teacher at the School of Drama, Film, and Art Design at Sichuan Media College, Dr. Li Rongjun, Chairman of Malaysia-China Traditional Culture Federation, and Dr. Shen Guoming, Chairman of Heart Towards the Sun Drama Troupe, Vice-Chairman Sun Tianyang, Secretary Chen Xiaochun, board members Chen Yumei and Dr. Huang Hanhui, etc.
Dr. Josh Stenberg gave a talk titled "The Stage of Ethnic Minorities: Indonesian Chinese Drama and Public Display", exploring the applicability of "free multiculturalism" in Indonesia, pointing out that the logic of this theory may differ under different social environments.
He raised key questions about whether Chinese narratives should maintain their ethnic uniqueness or embrace the fusion and change of foreign cultures? Why certain forms of dramatic expression are more common in Indonesian society and may be considered politically incorrect in the English-speaking world?
He further pointed out that, whether from the perspective of drama types or narrative angles, Chinese drama has a more significant influence in Southeast Asia. However, at the academic research level, related research is still mainly concentrated within the framework of "East-West" and "Chinese-English" comparison, and further research on Chinese drama in Southeast Asia is needed.
Dr. Josh Stenberg's speech sparked enthusiastic discussions among the scholars and audience present. During the exchange session, he interacted with the audience on related topics, further expanding the space for academic dialogue.
Additionally, on behalf of the drama troupe, Dr. Shen Guoming, Chairman of Heart Towards the Sun Drama Troupe, presented a set of Malaysian Chinese Drama Series, comprising 25 volumes of scripts, reviews, and historical materials to Dr. Josh Stenberg as a souvenir, fully demonstrating the richness and diversity of local drama culture.
Dr. Shen Guoming stated that he hopes through this drama-themed lecture and exhibition, people from home and abroad can spend a meaningful Lunar New Year in Malaysia, while further promoting the international exchange and cooperation of drama culture.
The "Drama Culture Museum" is located at Mile 9, Cheras. The public is welcome to make reservations for visits. For any inquiries, contact Heart Towards the Sun Drama Troupe at (016-2322693).
