Day: February 5, 2025

Historian Robert Henrey delivered a captivating lecture exploring the first documented visit of an educated Chinese scholar to Europe which took place in the 17th century, highlighting a groundbreaking moment of cultural exchange. Drawing from his personal experiences living in Asia, Henrey emphasized the remarkable continuity of cultural challenges between China and the West, noting that fundamental issues of mutual understanding, suspicion, and perception remain strikingly similar despite three centuries of change. The lecture underscored the historical significance of this journey, and illuminated the complex dynamics of international relations during a period of limited cross-cultural interaction.