Folklore studies professor, Dr. Lijun Zhang, has published a new book with Ziying You entitled Chinese Folklore Studies Today: Discourse and Practice (Indiana University Press, 2019).
Chinese Folklore Studies Today illustrates the dynamics of contemporary folklore studies in China, presented through the eyes of young scholars. Contributions in the book cover a range of folklore studies topics including folk song and cultural heritage, as well as newer areas in the field of Chinese folklore studies such as women’s folklore.The book presents ethnographic case studies, which are representative of numerous areas within mainland China. The book introduces English-language readers to pertinent Chinese literature on each topic, establishing the foundations for ongoing cross-cultural collaboration between English-language and Chinese folklorists.
Zhang said she hopes the book will “foster interest in deeper and wider introductions to and investigations of Chinese folklore studies” and contribute to the “advancement of scholarly dialogue and communication between English-speaking and Chinese folklorists.” Zhange is hopeful readers will come away with a better understanding of the diversity and dynamics of contemporary Chinese folklore studies.
Zhang’s other books include Chinese Folk Arts and Crafts (Beijing: China Agriculture Press, 2010) and Quilts of Southwest China (Nanning: Guangxi People’s Press and Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2016). She co-curated “Putting Baskets to Use in Southwest China” and the international traveling exhibition, “Quilts of Southwest China.” She serves on the editorial board of Museum Anthropology Review. Her research interests include oral narrative, material culture, heritage, museums and curatorship, institutionalization, tourism, and the folklore of China and East Asia.
March 26, 2020