Jan.3,2013
The celebrated German writer Mrs. Charlotte Kerner paid an eight-day visit to SIS at the invitation of DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst) and IGS (Institute of German Studies) from December 9th to 16th 2012, and gave three wonderful recitals in which she held discussions with students in IGS on “writer’s social responsibility”, “literature and education” and “female literature”, appealing to numerous German-lovers of all grades.
Mrs. Kerner produced a number of masterpieces of juvenile literature, two of which won the German Juvenile Literature Award in 1978 and 2000 respectively. And another work named Blueprint has been adapted to film in 2004.She also wrote a series of biographies of famous women that concerns female group and the relationship between modern technology and human morality, among which, a book entitled Jadeperle und Großer Mut. Chinesinnen zwischen gestern und morgen was created focusing on Chinese women after her first visit to China 34 years ago.
Blueprint and Lise, Atomphysikerin, Die Lebensgeschichte der Lise Meitner are two prize-winning works discussed in the readings. Mrs. Kerner recited a few passages from the Blueprint and also showed the corresponding clip of the film adaptation, then asked students to divide into several groups to compare the book with the film. Students all aired their own views, talking freely about ethical and moral issues raised by cloning. The reading was finally ended in heated discussion. At night, Mrs. Kerner also responded to questions raised by students and approached the subject of the change taken place in China and the image of China with four German-major students and Simpson, the foreign teacher in IGS.
At next day’s reading, Mrs. Kernerbegan by reciting a few passages from Lise, Atomphysikerin, Die Lebensgeschichte der Lise Meitner and introduced this legendary lady’s life story. All the people listened with keen interest and many put questions on its content and other aspects like literature creation and etc., which Mrs. Kerner answered patiently in graceful manner and humorous style. Ultimately in warm applause, the hostess, Professor Li Yuan in GIS concluded the reading by giving her sincere thanks to Mrs. Kerner for her visit.
(Translated by WU Yifei)
