Chinese Scholar Donates Monograph to BelSU

A leading Chinese expert in Russian literature, Professor Zhu Jiangang, has presented a significant monograph titled “A Study of Literary Criticism” to Belgorod State University.

The book donated to the Nikolay Strakhov Scientific Library, offers an in-depth examination of Strakhov’s contributions as a prominent thinker, critic, and publicist. His analyses of literary giants such as Pushkin, Turgenev, Herzen, Dostoevsky, and Tolstoy have profoundly shaped the understanding of 19th-century Russian classics. In his monograph, Professor Zhu draws upon a wealth of primary sources to meticulously explore Strakhov’s key works, including “Notes on Pushkin” and his articles on “Crime and Punishment” and “War and Peace”. He elucidates Strakhov’s interpretations of the Pushkin tradition, the philosophical insights of Herzen, and Tolstoy’s portrayals of the Russian people – each innovative for its time.

The central aim of the book by Professor Zhu Jiangang is to synthesise Strakhov’s literary-critical methodology around two pivotal themes: the struggle against nihilism and the quest for a distinct Russian cultural identity.

“This is the first monograph on Nikolay Strakhov published in China, although studies in this area have been conducted there for some time. We believe its significance extends well beyond Belgorod. In both Russian and international literary studies, this represents a notable development,” stated Pavel Olkhov, professor at the Department of Philosophy and Theology at Belgorod National Research University (BelSU).

The Nikolay Strakhov Scientific Library expressed its heartfelt gratitude to Professor Zhu Jiangang for his generous gift, which strengthens academic ties and fosters scientific research within the university.