Workshop in Changchun, China
Between the 23-24 September 2024, I was participating in a workshop on “Future Developments of Digital Humanities and Didactics in Global Ancient Studies” at the Northeastern Normal University in Changchun China. It was one of the friendliest and interesting workshops I was able to participate in. The long way to Changchun was compensated with lots of hospitality and interesting talks.
Day 1 of the workshop in Changchun
The first day started with a tour on the campus grounds. We also had a tour of the Institute for the History of Ancient Civilizations (IHAC) at the Northeast Normal University in Changchun. Scholars from the fields of historical studies, computer science, and education met here. We all engaged in interdisciplinary discourse about the proper application of digital humanities research both to university and school didactics. We were warmly greeted by the director Zhang Qiang and vice-director Sven Günther. The keynote speech was given by Prof. Dr. Claudia Sode of the University of Cologne about research-based teaching.
After a coffee break, we heard about Digital Byzantine Studies by Martina Filosa and Greek Epigraphic Databases by Péter Kató. Hendrikus van Wijlick talked about Databases and Timelines of Ancient Evidence and Lothar Willms presented a connective etymological online dictionary. All talks were super interesting and showcasing how digital methods can not only be used, but also incorporated into teaching. We closed the day with a very formal Chinese dinner where also other invited guests were present. We had wonderful Chinese food and were served Báijiǔ, a Chinese spirit that was very very tasty. The whole evening was the courtesy of the Institute IHAC and its directors.
Day 2 or the workshop in Changchun
The second day was primarily focussed on Archaeogaming or how we can incorporate gaming into teaching. I started off with a report on my course on Archaeogaming where I presented the works of my students. Kevin Körner was presenting the ExPresS-XR system which can be used to create interactive digital exhibitions. Stefan Krmnicek was talking about Numismatic Games and how these games can also teach about ancient coins. We closed the second day with a longer final discussion where we summarized what we had heard. The group also talked about how we could incorporate this new knowledge into our own teaching.
We then started an excursion (see below) but ended the day with a second wonderful dinner. This time we went to a Mongolian restaurant where we not only got a great singing performance, but also lots of food and drinks on the table. Everybody had to give a speech and so did I. I thanked everyone for the hospitality and friendly atmosphere in which we could conduct our workshop.
The excursion
As an excursion on the second day, we were led to the palace of the last emperor (Puyi) of China, that was constructed by the Japanese that occupied China at that time. The emperors role was largely a symbolic one and having seen the Forbidden City a couple of days before, I have to say that the palace rather looked sad in comparison. It was nevertheless very interesting, and we could have a look inside the buildings. We were provided with an audio guide, but most of the time I enjoyed walking through the area and just having a look.
The palace was the setting of Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1987 biographical film about Puyi, The Last Emperor, depicting Puyi’s reign as Emperor of Manchukuo. His last “reign” ended 1945 when the Soviets overrun almost all of Manchukuo. There are many buildings on the complex, but what I was most intrigued by was the cinema room. It was a small room for the emperor and his wife to enjoy a movie together. It was not really cosy, both sitting on a throne instead of a sofa, but it was a bit of private life, nevertheless.
