The International Symposium on Traditional Theatres of Asia: Beijing, 1991

Abstract

In December 1991, two and a half years after the suppression of liberal dissent in Tiananmen Square, the Chinese Theatre Association (CTA) held an International Symposium on Traditional Theatres of Asia in Beijing. The symposium attracted artists and scholars from such nations as England, Japan, Sweden, France, India, Bangladesh, Switzerland, the United States, North and South Korea, Myanmar, Iran, Cameroon, Mauritius, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Cyprus, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, and regions within the People's Republic of China, including Tibet and Mongolia. Eastern Europe was notable by its absence, reportedly because of economic and political turmoil in that region. There were 46 foreign and 58 Chinese experts attending; together with various nonparticipating observers, 141 individuals took part in the academic portion of the proceedings. In addition, numerous performers demonstrated their art at special performances. Over six hundred people were involved in the symposium in one way or the other. Recent reports in the Western press frequently had mentioned the nervousness of Chinese hardliners regarding the insidious ideas being smuggled into the country by freethinking foreign academics. Seen in this light, the symposium appeared to be a self-conscious attempt by the powers-that-be to allay such fears by demonstrating an apparent openness toward the visitors, who were treated with respect, friendliness, and hospitality. Politics is unavoidable in China, where even academics may display their party affiliations on their business cards. The subject of China's deplorable human rights record was on most visitors' minds and a visit to