Maghiel van Crevel is a sinologist who works at the interface of literary studies, anthropology, and translation studies. His research focuses on poetry in the People’s Republic of China. Through ethnographic fieldwork, he especially studies an influential ‘unofficial’ poetry culture that steers clear of government restrictions. This gives voice to elitist avant-garde authors but also to labor migrants who tell tales of hardship and woe. At Leiden University Libraries, Van Crevel has built a unique collection of these unofficial publications that is accessible online. In China, poetry emerges at the intersection of politics, aesthetics, and society. Van Crevel is internationally known for his pioneering work in exploring this complex force field.     

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