CYTC Outstanding Series: What Is the Reality of History?

It is the honor of Cheng Yu Tung College (CYTC) to have two renowned historians Prof. Hsiung Ping-chen and Prof. Mu-chou Poo to give a salon talk of “What Is the Reality of History?” on March 14th, 2016. Prof. Hsiung Ping-chen, chair professor of History, is also the Director of Research Institute for Humanities of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Her research interests include child and family studies, traditional Chinese medicine, gender, and the construction of memory. Prof. Mu-chou Poo is an Egyptologist and scholar in Comparative Study of Antiquity. Currently, Poo teaches at the Chinese University of Hong Kong as a chair Professor of History. CYTC also invited Prof. Liu Chuan Sheng, College Master of CKPC and Prof. David Pong, College Master of CKYC as honored guests.

 

The salon talk was held in Master Chung’s quarter gathering a total of 25 student and teachers. Prof. Hsiung and Prof. Poo first elaborated the concepts of “macro history” and “microhistory” to let the audience understand we hardly get the fact or reality of the history. However, we could get “close” to the reality because what is gone is gone and what is done is done. Time is unlimited and so is history. It is important not to make certain judgements based on some pieces of facts or so called evidence. History could free people’s mind but should not constrain our mind and imagination. This interesting and intellectual talk lasted for more than 2.5 hours and students asked a variety of questions. Together with honored guests Prof Liu and Prof. Pong’s comments and encouragement, all the participants learned another new way to see the history.

Several residents whose major is history found this talk truly inspiring. Our 2nd year student, Tam Chikin said some might think studying history is useless in the future. After having the conversation with Prof. Hsiung and Prof. Poo, he felt touched and understood having the passion on the goal and interest is very important and to learn a foreign language and do some history project in the college life will make him more competitive. Prof. Hsiung and Prof. Poo are not only historians but also great educators and mentors.

 

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