On the afternoon of June 22, Associate Professor Ian Forbes, European faculty of ICARE from Northumbria University (UK), delivered a lecture titled A perspective of the Culture of Britain: It’s origins, influences and legacy for faculty and students of China-EU Institute for Clean and Renewable Energy

During the lecture, Prof. Ian Forbes traced how various civilizations have shaped British culture along a historical timeline, presenting British history in a clear and coherent chronological sequence. Following the influences on culture through history, following a swift path from the earliest people, touching on Celtic, Roman Anglo-Saxon, the Conquest and medieval times to the enlightenment and beyond.

He analyzed landmark historical events that drove the cultural evolution of the British Isles layer by layer, sorting out a complete cultural thread spanning from ancient times to the present day. He systematically illustrated the intertwined impacts of multiple factors including the production and daily life of ancient inhabitants, historical catastrophes and civilizational progress on British culture.

Meanwhile, his presentation revolved around two core themes. First, ancient civilizations provided an original source of nourishment for diverse cultural expressions of later generations. Second, shifting human perceptions of nature have continuously reshaped the indigenous cultural landscape. His in-depth interpretation offered profound historical insights as well as rich humanistic perspectives.

The thousand-year journey tracing the origins of civilization came to a close. With vivid and lucid explanations, Professor Ian Forbes helped the audience grasp the roots and profound heritage accumulated over centuries within British culture.

This aesthetic education lecture diversified the forms of campus academic activities and effectively enhanced students’ humanistic literacy and historical awareness.