Xuechun Lyu (University of Rochester)
xlyu@****.com (Log-in to reveal)
This panel invites us to look at the entanglement of traditional cultures and nationalism in Asia, within a context in which cultures have been frequently mobilized to reinforce national identity or facilitate the resurgence of nationalist/imperialist ideas. Within the framework shaped by the interplay among the cultural industry, capitalism, imperialism, and colonialism, “traditional cultures” may embody the institutionalized forms of folk entertainment and craft that have been selectively refined; the elevating designations such as “national treasures” or “cultural legacies” could appear as political strategies. Meanwhile, critical appropriation of such cultural forms may also provide knowledge and tools to reflect issues in modern societies. The intertwined relationship between traditions and nationalism often reveals the power and hegemony in cultural preservation and production, which potentially aligns with the theme of the 2026 PAMLA conference, “Our Ruling Classes: Culture, Power, Conflict.”
Presenters are welcome to discuss exact cultural practices or representations in literature, film, performance, visual art, and broader media environments from a range of periods and Asian regions. Possible topics may include, but are not limited to: the changes in status of certain folk art or craft throughout its historical evolution, such as from vernacular culture to high culture; traditional culture and narratives of national history; inventive revitalization of national cultural traditions; theories, critiques, or practices that challenge the essentialization of cultural traditions; the conditions of cultural workers in folk art or craft fields; the romanticizing or imaginative portrayals of conventional cultures in literature and films.
This panel encourages presenters to bring forth their observations and analysis of how cultural practices and productions that are elevated as “traditions, legacies, and classics” have been involved with nationalism in the Asian landscapes. Papers that explicitly address the conference’s theme and that employ other perspectives will all be appreciated.