Launch of Living with Civilisations: Reflections on Southeast Asia’s Local and National Cultures

Summary

The transcript details the launch of Professor Wang Gang Wu's book, *Living with Civilizations: Reflections on Southeast Asia's Local and National Cultures*, at the Institute of Policy Studies. The event features speeches from notable figures, including the Director of IPS, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and Professor Wang himself. They discuss the uniqueness of Southeast Asia, shaped by four major civilizations—Indic, Sinic, Islamic, and European. The book explores how these influences have contributed to the region's resilience and evolving national cultures. The event concludes with the book launch and a signing session.

Takeaways

• 😀 The event marks the launch of Professor Wang Gang Wu's book 'Living with Civilizations,' which reflects on Southeast Asia's local and national cultures.
• 😀 The event is live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube, allowing both in-person and online viewers to participate in the launch.
• 😀 Director Mr. Janad Devan highlighted Professor Wang as one of the greatest scholars in the humanities in Singapore, emphasizing his unique scholarly style.
• 😀 Professor Wang's lectures and writings are described as not just academic, but also an artistic experience, likened to listening to polyphonic music or observing Chinese art.
• 😀 The SR Nandan Fellowship, named after Singapore's sixth president, is honored through Professor Wang's work, which contributes significantly to its legacy.
• 😀 President Tharman Shanmugaratnam praised Professor Wang as one of the most outstanding scholars of Southeast Asia, contributing wisdom and lessons through his latest book.
• 😀 A key observation in the book is that Southeast Asia is not a single civilization, but a region shaped by four ancient civilizations: Indic, Sinic, Islamic, and European Christian.
• 😀 The book emphasizes Southeast Asia’s ability to remain open, inclusive, and resilient through selective modernization while preserving its cultural diversity.
• 😀 Singapore's experience of being shaped by multiple civilizations, particularly its historical role as a multicultural society, is discussed as a strength in its modern identity.
• 😀 Professor Wang advocates for the importance of Southeast Asia maintaining unity within ASEAN and distinguishing between ancient civilizational values and contemporary national cultures.

Q & A

What is the main theme of Professor Wang Gang Wu's book 'Living with Civilizations'?

The main theme of the book is to explore the history and cultural evolution of Southeast Asia, emphasizing how the region has been shaped by four ancient civilizations: Indic, Sinic, Islamic, and European Christian. It highlights how Southeast Asia's cultures selectively integrated these influences into their local identities.

What does the Director of IPS, Mr. Janad Devan, say about Professor Wang's scholarly contributions?

Mr. Janad Devan describes Professor Wang as the greatest and most significant scholar in the humanities in Singapore, and one of the most distinguished historians of the last century. He praises the depth of Professor Wang's work, particularly how it blends history with artistic expression, much like experiencing polyphonic music or a Chinese painting.

Why does President Tharman Shanmugaratnam consider Professor Wang as one of the most outstanding scholars?

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam believes Professor Wang is an outstanding scholar because of his profound contributions to understanding Southeast Asia's history and cultures. He emphasizes how Professor Wang's book sheds light on Southeast Asia's unique position of being shaped by multiple ancient civilizations, which has allowed the region to remain open, inclusive, and resilient.

How does Professor Wang describe the role of Southeast Asia in the context of ancient civilizations?

Professor Wang explains that Southeast Asia was never a monolithic civilization but a collection of local and national cultures influenced by four major ancient civilizations. This diversity has allowed Southeast Asia to selectively incorporate elements from these civilizations without fully adopting any one of them, shaping its own evolving culture.

What is the significance of Singapore in the context of Southeast Asia's civilizational influences?

Singapore's significance lies in its exposure to diverse civilizational influences, particularly due to its geographical location at the tip of the Malay Peninsula. The British colonial administration also played a key role in maintaining the various cultural influences intact, which has helped Singapore evolve into a multi-racial society. The experience of being a minority community within a larger, multi-civilizational region shaped Singapore's inclusive ethos.

What is the importance of understanding the spaces between words in Professor Wang's writing?

In his writing, Professor Wang doesn't just convey information logically or sequentially. Instead, his work is meant to be experienced on an aesthetic level, with meaning lying in the spaces between his sentences. This non-linear approach reflects the complexity of his ideas, much like the layered meanings found in music, art, or literature.

How does President Tharman view the role of Southeast Asia’s civilizational openness in the modern world?

President Tharman views Southeast Asia's openness and inclusiveness as an advantage in the modern world. He believes that the region's ability to integrate influences from different civilizations without fully adopting any one of them gives it a unique resilience. This approach allows Southeast Asia to navigate the tensions and changes in global civilization while maintaining its own evolving national cultures.

What specific lessons does Professor Wang offer in his lectures regarding the region's civilizational evolution?

Professor Wang offers insights on how Southeast Asia has evolved by selecting and blending elements from four major ancient civilizations. He emphasizes that the region's openness and inclusivity have enabled it to modernize in its own way, creating unique national cultures. He stresses the importance of staying united within ASEAN and maintaining peaceful coexistence with other larger civilizations.

What does President Tharman mention about the importance of humility for Southeast Asia?

President Tharman highlights that Southeast Asia’s lack of a monolithic civilization gives the region humility. This humility allows Southeast Asia to remain open to learning from others without thinking itself superior, thus maintaining resilience against contemporary nationalist impulses that may threaten peace.

What role did the British colonial period play in shaping Singapore’s multi-racial society?

The British colonial administration played a significant role by managing different ethnic and cultural communities in Singapore. The British did not attempt to impose a single cultural identity but rather allowed various communities to maintain their traditions. This approach helped Singapore develop a multi-racial society with a unique mix of cultures, which has been key to its success in the modern world.