100 transilvania 11-12/2018 Convergences: Inventories ofthePresent) a phrase from music–iscontrapuntal.” simultaneous dimensions, an awareness that – to borrow and thisplurality ofvisiongives risetoanawareness of one setting,home;exilesare aware ofatleasttwo, despite andregardless ofanysocialturmoil,economicgrowth ordecline,waves ofnationalriseandfall. coherence intherelation between Eastand West, traditionandmodernity, andforeseeable future, pastmemory its evolution, andenableadialogueofcultures transcendinggeographicalboundariesorpoliticalinterest. where –geographypoliticseconomicdevelopment theinterdependent define –culture connectionofart –history world.Cultural paradigmofinternationalrelations,diversity andpublicdiplomacyshapeanew incontemporary by meansoftangibleculturalpatrimonyandintangibleheritage-asafundamentaldimension Till Earth and Sky standpresently atGod’s great Judgment seat; But there isneitherEast nor West, Border, norBreed, norBirth, When twostrong menstandfacetoface,thoughtheycomefrom Renown Americanauthorandgeopolitics expert, (Edward Said - Reflections on Exile and Other Essays. „ Keywords: andspirituality;softpower culturalandpublicdiplomacy;art power andsmart andendurance,temporalcontinuityaswellLiterature asspatialconnectionand andspiritualityenablesurvival The present tohighlightthatcultural diplomacyemphasizes people-to-peopleconnection paperundertakes Most peopleare principallyaware ofoneculture, Cultural Diplomacy–Literary Representations Of SoftPower And Smart Power: Tradition andModernity Oh, East isEast, and West is West, andnever thetwain Smart Power: Tradition andModernity (“The Ballad of East and West” – ) Representations Of Soft Power And Cultural Diplomacy –Literary Universitatea „Lucian Blaga” dinSibiu, Facultatea deLitere șiArte “Lucian Blaga” University ofSibiu, Faculty ofLettersandArts Eva-Nicoleta BURDUȘEL the endsofearth! Personal e-mail:[email protected] shall meet,

have access to any part oftheworld notwithstanding have accesstoany part to travel theworld by meansofnarrative imagination, positioning insociety. Fiction empowers theindividual place, aswell asthe notionofindividualandcollective viewed asgeographicalterritory, area, spacevs. literary highlighting therelation and context– between art individuals andcommunitiesalike–places; individuals, thusliterature connects people– of accomplishing“cultural empathy” between alive by readingmemory andwriting. best waytoenlightenandrevive thepastistokeepits 2013, p. xiii]Furthermore, we mightaddthatthe possible.” [Robert Kaplan, the future, isonthe ground, travelling asslowly as understand thepresent andtoaskquestionsabout Robert Kaplan,utterlystatedthat“a goodplaceto Storytelling proves themosteffective means The Revenge of Geography, a reader to be a more accurate and sagacious interpreter of the world. [Franco Moretti, Graphs, Maps, Trees. Abstract Models for a Literary Theory] The more recent phrases, cultural dialogue, cultural empathy, cultural diplomacy or cultural intelligence, highlight the thorough scholarly preoccupation and multidisciplinary engagement with the role and reinvention of culture as a perpetual and inextinguishable resource that humankind has always resorted to as the most enduring and powerful pillars of its millennial existence. Elisabeth Plum`s definition of the notion of cultural intelligence as a most effective and reliable ability in today`s interconnected world whose dynamism in terms of cultural exchanges and ethnic migration has reached an unforeseen peak, is relevant at this stage of our analysis: Cultural intelligence is the ability to act appropriately in situations where cultural differences are important, and the ability to make yourself understood and to establish a constructive partnership across cultural differences. Cultural intelligence is physical distance and relate to the universal matters of judged on the results of the encounter, not on the the human being, moreover, “a book can connote the participants` intentions or thoughts. An intelligent place where it was read better than an old photograph result of a cross-cultural encounter is the creation can.” [Robert Kaplan, In Europe`s Shadow, p. xxix] of a shared understanding across all the participant However, to sum up, one needs to find a balance cultures … Cultural intelligence is a broad concept between reading and discovering, fiction and reality which is related to emotional intelligence and social since “one book means freedom, too many books, intelligence, but cultural intelligence is wider than though, act as a barrier to further discovery of the wither of these because it sees both feelings and world. When you have a ready quote in your head for human relations as culturally determined, and not as every new vista before your eyes, you can no longer see identical across cultural boundaries. … Seen as a broad clearly.” [Robert Kaplan, In Europe`s Shadow, p. xxvii] concept of intelligence, cultural intelligence is a set After all, history is primarily a ‘story’ that may of abilities/skills which can be developed throughout be narrated from a multitude of perspectives or, as life. … Cultural intelligence has three dimensions: epitomized by Dmitri Trenin, “history is usually what intercultural engagement, cultural understanding and people make of it … often, factual reality is overtaken intercultural communication. This tripartite division by a parallel reality of perceptions.” [Dmitri Trenin, follows the classic division into emotion, cognition and The End of Eurasia,2002, p. 29] Human beings evince practice [Elisabeth Plum, Cultural Intelligence: The Art an innate proclivity to employ “mental maps” – a of Leading Cultural Complexity, Middlesex University subjective perspective and selective view of the world Press, London: 2008, p. 19-21] – to read and interpret art, culture, literature, history, Moreover, connectedness and fragmentariness primarily emerging from educational background, seem to co-exist in a paradoxical ambivalence that may geographical positioning in space and time, political be alleviated by an enhanced role of the humanities conditioning and socio-economic welfare, leading to nowadays, particularly at a time when “not-for- an inescapable polarity based on pre-established biases profit” studies or sciences – liberal arts in particular which can only be overcome by an awareness of and – apparently undergo a time of crisis. ability to accommodate different cultural patterns. In Does global citizenship really require the this context, the dominant perspective called centrality humanities? It certainly requires a lot of factual “is a tendency to place one`s own country in a central knowledge, and students might get this without a position, at least, in a more central position than it humanistic education – for example, from absorbing would be in others` maps and to group the rest of the the facts in standardized textbooks (assuming these are world around it.” [Jaap van Ginneken, J., Understanding correct). Responsible citizenship, however, requires a Global News, London, Sage Publications, 2009, p.4] A lot more: the ability to assess historical evidence, to reliable alternative solution to this is Franco Moretti1s use and think critically about economic principles, widely acclaimed concept of “distant reading” enabling to compare differing views of social justice, to speak

101 102 transilvania 11-12/2018 space vs.place,aswell asthenotionofindividualand context –viewed asgeographicalterritory, area, literary places; highlighting the relation and between art people –individualsandcommunities alike–and inconnecting the role andsignificanceof storytelling an intercultural analysis performing of means of art, for travelling eastwards toChinaandworldwide,by Pearl Buck andMo Yan –whosewritingsare reflective recipients of in literature, for instance, made totheinternationalsignificanceandechoesof 30, p. 15] [Martha Nussbaum, (2010)„Skills forLife”, TLS, April education, inboth Western andnon-Western nations. ofthebestmodernideasdemocratic been akeypart placed mighthave. Thecultivation ofsympathyhas the emotionsandwishesdesires thatsomeoneso intelligent reader ofthatperson`sstory, tounderstand in the shoes of a person different from oneself, to be an means theabilitytothinkwhatitmightbelike two, iswhatwe cancallthenarrative imagination.This The third abilityofthecitizen, closely related tothose around themby factualknowledge andlogicalone. world ornarrative imagination(Martha Nussbaum) “cultural shock” (Alvin Toffler) intoday`smultipolar ability calledculturalempathyasaneffective meansof Illiteracy, always for the better. [Mihai Nadin, the visualhasalready surpassedthewritten,thoughnot also prosperity. One oftheresults oftheconflictisthat were andbeauty, promised notonlyeternaltruth but critics –experience.In thepalaceofprintedbooks,we disquieting changesthatwe all–enthusiasts,pessimists, butitprotects frommight notbeperfect, theoften are enteringisnopromised land.Theliterateheritage future init–andlessofthepast.Thecivilization we power oftheword versus image. national inaglobalized worldaswell asrestore the - andrevive by meansofliterature therelevance ofthe “civilization ofilliteracy” -asdefined by Mihai Nadin of thespectacle” asdefined by Mario Varga Llosaor need humanitiestohelpusovercome the“civilization April 30,pp. 13] [Martha Nussbaum, (2010)„Skills forLife”, TLS, increasingly polarized by ethnicandreligious conflict. differences, bothwithinanationandinworld for reason, isessentialtothepeacefulresolution of ideas withothers,inanatmosphere ofmutualrespect responsibility forone`sown reasoning, andexchange in Western tradition … The idea that one will take andpracticeofliberaleducation the majortheory a foreign language,toappreciate thecomplexitiesof Special mention, inthiscontext,shouldbe Citizens cannotrelate well tothe complex word Therefore anydialogueofcultures requires an No othertimethanourshashadmore ofthe Now, more thanever, we urgentlyandessentially Dresden University Press, 1998,pp. vii-viii] The Civilization of minds through thepower ofthewrittenword andthe highlight thedialogueofcultures and connectinghearts collective positioninginsociety. was aworldliterature, far anditscentre, toowasvery with mostpeopleintheworld. In thesameway, there the centre” … Today Ithink thatIshare thisfeeling as inliterature –mybasicfeelingwasthatInot“in and periphery. “As formyplaceintheworld –inlife significanceas well asconnectingthecentre literary territoriesofthemindfull thus openingupnew recognition, transgress both local andnational borders Prize Awards, whoserecipient willenjoy worldwide Prize Acceptance Speech] Thecultural echoesof Nobel for thisiswhatliterature is.” [, Nobel to tellotherpeople’s storiesasiftheywere hisown, own storiesasiftheywere otherpeople’s stories,and totellhis concern; thewriter…musthave theartistry acknowledged that“literature isnever justanational Nobel Prize Award forliterature, Orhan Pamuk Acceptance Speech and stupidity.” [, women by ignorance,ideologies,religions, languages, and eclipsesthefrontiers erected amongmenand Literature creates afraternitywithinhumandiversity habits, customs,andprejudices thatseparateus… feel surprise,unitesusbeneaththelanguages,beliefs, different peoples,and by havingusenjoy, suffer, or periphery: and distantcommunities,between thecentre andthe fellow human beings worldwide, between different worldwide, tobridgethegapsbetween individualsand as itfacilitatesthereader toenvisionthereality valuable resource inthestudyofculturalgeography process oftellingstories.Literatureartful isthemost Moreover, Orhan Pamuk and William Golding On asimilaroccasion,uponreceiving the

“Good literature erects bridgesbetween ]. Nobel Prize away from me.” [Orhan Pamuk, Nobel Prize Acceptance by connecting individuals and groups to institutionalized Speech] hierarchies. Whether in the form of dispositions, objects, In his Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech, William systems, or institutions, culture embodies power relations. Golding set forth the idea that language has the Further, many cultural practices in the advanced societies power to connect people and cultures, from nearby or constitute relatively autonomous arenas of struggle for far away, enabled by the talent and craft of the artist distinction. Intellectuals – the specialized producers and who is “…endowed with a sensibility and a power transmitters of culture – play key roles in shaping arenas of communication, a capacity to ‘put things across’ and their institutionalized hierarchies. [David Swartz, which events and the majority of people to whom Culture and Power: The Sociology of Pierre Bourdieu, The events happen do not possess.” [Huxley “Tragedy University of Chicago Press: 1997, p.4] and the Whole Truth:” in Music at Night, London: Chatto&Windus, 1960 print p. 17] Language is the foundation of culture, embedding and preserving the identity of a nation and ensuring “Words may, through the devotion, the skills, the passion, its millennial survival. Moreover, a language with and the luck of writers prove to be the most powerful thing international circulation aspires to and potentially in the world. They may move men to speak to each other achieves global status, not for any quantitative reasons, because some o f those words express not just what the writer such as the number of speakers at a particular time is thinking but what a huge segment of the world is thinking. worldwide, the widespread use and acceptance of They may allow man to speak to man, the man in the street a language is directly related to the notion of power to speak to his fellow until a ripple becomes a tide running and dominance: military, economic or cultural, and, through every nation.” [Golding, Nobel Prize Acceptance more recently, technological advancement as well as Speech] new information and communication technologies, market growth and competitiveness, mass media or the It is particularly this approach reinforcing the promotion of cultural values. “Why a language becomes power of culture not only to connect individuals to a global language has little to do with the number of a homogenous and coherent community, to enable people who speak it. It is much more to do with who national survival throughout millennia, to endure those speakers are … Without a strong power-base, dominance and preserve its tangible and intangible of whatever kind, no language can make progress as heritage as the most valuable asset of continuity and an international medium of communication […] A worldwide harmony. language has traditionally become an international People are connected like never before. New language for one chief reason: the power of its people.” opportunities are opening across the globe for [Crystal, D., English as a Global Language, Cambridge exchange and cooperation. But these are also turbulent University Press, 2003, p.7] times – times of uncertainty and economic crisis, The more recent notion of cultural vitality when societies are ever more diverse and vulnerable. highlights the role of art, with its wide range of This is why dialogue and mutual understanding are representations, addressed both to the elite as well as so essential. We need new forms of exchange between mass audiences, has become a consistent priority of cultures, between societies and within them, on the contemporary national and international policies, the basis of respect and equal dignity. Dialogue is the best fourth pillar of sustainable development, bringing to way to strengthen the solidarity of humanity against the forefront the essential and vital connection between the pressures of fragmentation [Irina Bokova, Director- tradition and modernity revived by (hi)story – thinking General UNESCO, address on the occasion of the backward and employing the power of synthesis and event “Dialogue of Cultures” 13 April 2013] analysis in addition to looking forward enabled by As the concepts of culture and language are imbued intellectual design and narrative imagination, cultural with notions of power, it is worth focusing on their empathy and emotional intelligence – valuable skills in interdependence as theorized by French social scientist a planetary world. Culture also interacts actively with Pierre Bourdieu, other areas of life: education, science, different forms of communication and is strongly related to the notion “Culture provides the very grounds for human of human rights and peaceful development. communication and interaction; it is also a source Thepower of the word is enlivened and enlightened of domination. The arts, science, religion, indeed all equally by literature and spirituality, testified by symbolic systems – including language itself – not only a few cases we have selected to endorse our thesis shape our understanding of reality and form the basis that cultural, public or religious diplomacy evince a for human communication; they also help establish and twofold purpose: promoting individuality and creating maintain social hierarchies. Culture includes beliefs, connections by mutual awareness. It is imperative to traditions, values, and language; it also mediates practices understand the distinction between genuine, vital as

103 104 transilvania 11-12/2018 people. both national unity and continuity for the Romanian precisely at atimewhentheyear 2018celebrates national identity most enduring pillarsof preserving linguistic unityandculturalcontinuitystillstandasthe Romaniei] the offspringsof Romanian people.” [Enciclopedia – as a common heritage – to shed its light onto all by ASTRAto“enablethe missionsetforth culture Review asthemostpro-active publicationundertaking of the150-year continuousactivityof 27] In theRomanian context,mentionshouldbemade Istoria prinochiidiplomatului, concept.[Mirceacontradictory Malita, Dan Dungaciu, therefore thephrase“European culture” isself- cultures are reluctant tointegrationorassimilation, its inescapableconsequences,we shouldbeaware that March 2016]Despite overwhelming globalizationand title ofDoctor Honorisof thehonorary Causain “Istoria caviitor” speechoccasionedby theacceptance andenduringcivilization.[Ana Blandiana,of survival anddefendourculturepreserve astheessentialmeans title ofDoctor Honoris Causa,commandingusto Blandiana, occasionedby acceptanceofthehonorary to China theoretician George Calinescu`saccountofhistravel criticand his Orthodox missiontoChina,andliterary Wonderworker ofShanghai andSan Francisco –and promoted by St. John Maximovitch, Archbishop and century examples of cultural or religious diplomacy century of his geographer, diplomatandauthorofthelandmark the 17 records ofEast-West by: in diplomacyundertaken promotion. opposed totargeted,mechanisticformsofcultural At acriticaltimeintheevolution ofhumankind, A mostrecent andtopicalspeechdelivered by Ana In thisrespect, mention should bemadeofprevious th Travel Notes andDescription ofChina, century, Nicolae Milescu Spatarul –scholar, . Rao: Bucuresti: 2014,p. Transylvania to 20

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Mihai Nadin, Franco Moretti, Mircea Malita, Dan Dungaciu, Enciclopedia Romaniei Mario VargasLlosa William Golding, Jaap van Ginneken, J., D., Crystal, Irina Bokova, Director-General UNESCO,address on Ana Blandiana, “Istoria caviitor” speechoccasioned Bibliography: This work was supported byThis work agrantoftheRomanian wassupported Dmitri Trenin, David Swartz, Kaplan Robert, Kaplan Robert, Elisabeth Plum, Orhan Pamuk, Martha Nussbaum, (2010) „Skills for Life”, TLS, April University Press, 1998 Literary Theory a diplomatului, London, Sage Publications, 2009 University Press, 2003 April 2013 the occasionofevent “Dialogue ofCultures” 13 Honoris CausainMarch 2016 titleofDoctorby theacceptanceofhonorary PCCDI-2017-0821/ INTELLIT, withinPNCDI III. – UEFISCDI, project number PN-III-P1-1.2- ofResearchMinistry andInnovation, CCCDI for International Peace, 2002 Bourdieu, Trade Paperbacks, 2016 House Trade Paperbacks, 2013 London: 2008 Cultural Complexity, 30, The University ofChicagoPress: 1997 English asaGlobal Language Culture andPower: ofPierre The Sociology The End ofEurasia, Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech The Civilization ofIlliteracy, Cultural Intelligence: The Art ofLeading Rao: Bucuresti: 2014 Graphs, Maps, Trees. Abstract Models for In Europe`s Shadow, The Revenge ofGeography, Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech , Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech Middlesex University Press, Understanding Global News, Carnegie Endowment Istoria prinochii Random House , Cambridge Random Dresden