This book is the first in a dedicated series that explores questions of cultural diplomacy and international cultural relations. Drawing on a broad range of disciplinary perspectives, it throws new light on the function and operation of policies that seek to change attitudes, values and behaviours across national boundaries and in diverse geocultural contexts. The specific policies explored relate to ways in which sites of past violence and atrocity are deployed in strategies of soft power; to the contribution of culture to EU enlargement; to the use of the Russian language as a soft power resource; to the singularities of the Indian cultural diplomacy; to cultural diplomacy as elite legitimation; to the role of diaspora relations in European cultural diplomacy; to the use of film in post-war cultural diplomacy; and to the role assigned to culture in the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement. Scholars interested in how cultural and foreign policy intersect in widely differing national contexts will find this book an invaluable resource. It was originally published as a special issue of the International Journal of Cultural Policy.

These two books offer readers a fresh perspective to re-examine and revaluate the so-called “China Threat” and the non-Western way of conducting foreign relations exercised by Asian countries due to the lasting impact of their traditional cultures on their diplomacy. 此書著為讀者提供全新視角來重新檢驗和評估所謂的”中國威脅論”和亞洲國家之非西方式外交及其傳統文化外交之影響.

We were in the mids of 2019 when we decided to organize a young researchers conference as the most important transnational event, subsequent to the inauguration of the UNESCO Chair of Culture Policy and Cultural Diplomacy of Istanbul Bilgi University established in 2018, held together with the chairs working in the same field. While deciding on the method, content, and form of participation of the conference we consulted with UNESCO chairs, with which we have been in cooperation for a long time. As a result, we decided to invite “young” researchers who are in the early stages of their academic career, irrespective of their age, and who have had their master’s degree and/or conducting doctoral studies. Our purpose was to ensure that they would start a dialogue with their colleagues in similar statuses and benefit from the comments of reviewers having experience in the profession, through the assessment of their presentations. We wished the conference that we planned to last two days to address the main themes of cultural policy. Hence, we projected holding of five sessions on the themes of “Culture as Agent in International Relations,” “Managing and Sharing Cultural Heritage,” “Cities: New Actors of Cultural Policy,” “Cultural Industries: Film as a Case,” and “Culture and Arts in all Their Forms.” Our call for applications has been welcomed with considerable interest. At that time, another thing happened as well. We wanted those young researchers would meet face-to-face, get to know each other, and exchange their views outside of the conference. However, the pandemic broke out and we were faced with the choices of postponing the conference or acknowledging to hold it online, due to travel prohibitions and lockdowns. As a result, the second alternative prevailed to maintain the excitement of the studies of the researchers. Our conference was held online, while Covid-19 was reigning with all its severity, on 21-22 August 2020. At the conference, papers of a total of eighteen researchers in charge at universities or working professionally in the sector in four continents took place. The fact that almost all of the researchers included the original features of the practice, which emerged from the theoretical literature in different subfields of cultural policy, but which they followed closely or were a part of directly, in their analyzes, was attention inviting. At the same time, it was possible to see in the presentations the traces of the (mostly negative) impacts of the international political environment, which continues with tensions, hot or cold conflicts, and inequalities, in addition to the oppressive political environment prevailing in the countries of today, on cultural policy. On the other hand, the lack of presentation and discussion of enough examples concerning cultural policies at the city scale was noteworthy. However, the quest of the young ones working in these disciplines, for new concepts and different methodological approaches, was extremely clear.

This edited volume explores European cultural diplomacy, a topic of growing interest across the scholarly and applied public policy communities in recent years. The contributions focus on Europe, culture and diplomacy and the way they are interlinked in the contemporary international context. The European Union increasingly resorts to cultural assets and activity for both internal and external purposes, to foster European cohesion and advancing integration, and to mitigate the demise of other foreign policy components, respectively. This calls for an analysis of the strategic role of culture, especially as it relates to the realm of EU external action. The chapters provide a conceptual discussion of culture in international relations and examine how this concept relates to cultural diplomacy and cultural strategy. The authors discuss roles and relationships with the EU’s 2016 Global Strategy and current EU attempts to foster the EU’s political and societal resilience.

This book, originally published in 1986, analyses and describes the significance of cultural relations in international affairs. It traces the beginnings of cultural relations in the 19th century and their evolution. Consideration is given to the nature and organization of global ‘cultural diplomacy’, with a particular focus on France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the USA. This book will be of interest to students in international affairs and modern history, but also to those working in government departments and agencies.

French and Soviet Musical Diplomacies in Post-War Austria, 1945-1955 investigates how promoting 'national' music and musicians was used as an important asset by France and the USSR in post-Nazi Austria, covering music’s role in international relations at various levels, within changing power frameworks. Bridging international relations, musical sociology, media studies, and Cold War history, four incisive chapters examine the crossroads of Soviet, French, and Austrian cultural politics and discourse-building, presented in two parts - institutions of musical diplomacy: Soviet and French cultural diplomats in comparison; sounds of music coming to Austria: Soviet and French musicians on tour. Using a communication- and media-oriented approach, this study casts new light, firstly, on the interpretative power of 'receiving' publics and, secondly, on the role of cultural transmitters at different levels. This is a valuable study for those specialising in Russian and East European music and music and politics. It will also appeal to cultural historians and all those interested in the intersections between music, international relations, and Cold War history.

This book is the first systematic China-based study on connectivity cooperation between China and Europe. It is packed with discussion of scholars not just from China, but also from Central and Eastern Europe on the origin and paradigm of China–European connectivity from a range of different perspectives. As a result of intensive coordination efforts, the study, co-edited by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Institute of International Politics and Economics in Serbia, aims at providing analyses of greater links between China and European countries heading into the future. Furthermore, this Cooperation is used as a special research case to showcase cooperation between China and Europe along with its achievements and challenges. This collection of essays is the fruit of extensive transnational efforts and will be a valuable resource for all those working in the areas of International Relations and Political Science with a focus on China and Europe.

Museums, International Exhibitions and China’s Cultural Diplomacy examines the role museums and, more specifically, international exhibitions, have played in shaping China’s international image to date. Drawing on theories and methods from museum studies and international relations, the book evaluates the contribution international exhibitions make to China’s cultural diplomacy strategy. Considering their impact on the country’s international image, Kong also probes the mechanisms and processes involved, examining in detail the policy of, and international activities promoted by, the Chinese government. The book also analyses the motives of the Chinese and overseas museums that host these exhibitions. Taking some major exhibitions that were on show in the UK during the 21st century as a representative case study, the book reveals the mechanisms by which these exhibitions were developed and shared overseas. Questioning who really shapes the image of China, Kong challenges Western assumptions and looks ahead to consider whether, moving forward, the Chinese government and museums could work together in a mutually beneficial way. Museums, International Exhibitions and China’s Cultural Diplomacy contributes to the growing literature on museums and diplomacy. As such, it will be of interest to academics and students engaged in the study of museums and heritage, international relations, culture, politics, China and wider Asia.

This original, systematic theory of cultural diplomacy opens a new way of thinking about diplomacy, politics and culture. Dr. Laos methodically investigates the relationship between culture and politics and between the reality of the world and the reality of consciousness. In so doing, he articulates a new approach to international relations theory and the concept of power, one based on philosophical arguments about reality, history and freedom. Dr. Laos takes a stark and realistic look at the interplay between culture and politics and makes an intellectually challenging contribution to normative international relations theory. The author proposes a new way of defining 'critical' political theory (substantially different from the Frankfurt School's approach) which leads to a new, dynamic understanding of history, and he argues that the chessboard of power is not so much on the surface of the earth as in the mental network formed by the communication between consciousnesses. He presents an original explanation of the inherent inability of Realpolitik to account for reality, throwing light on deep and controversial questions of identity for Europe and the West in general.

This open access book explores the organization and evolution of Finlands Cold War cultural diplomacy (1945-1975) as the basis for a reflection on the countrys foreign relations, the link between culture and politics, small states autonomy during the Cold War, and the porosity of the East-West divide. The book offers a historical survey of the development of Finlands cultural diplomacy as part of the Finnish states foreign activities. In its empirical parts, it focuses on archives drawn from the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education in order to explain Finlands cultural diplomacy as the result of the countrys foreign policy orientations, interactions between domestic and foreign policy, and the expansion of state activities in the artistic, educational, and cultural sectors. Various reflections and reports on foreign cultural relations highlight the role of identity concerns, cultural relations, geopolitics and economic imperatives in the development of a specifically Finnish cultural diplomacy. Furthermore, the book focuses on specific aspects and events, considering for instance the organization and evolutions of Finlands cultural relations with the USSR, the role of cultural treaties, academic exchanges and scientific cooperation, "cultural exports" and the marketization of culture, overlaps between cultural relations and high politics. Louis Clerc is Professor in Contemporary History in the Department of Contemporary History, Philosophy and Political Science at the University of Turku, Finland. His current research projects deal with the history of public and cultural diplomacy and the study of diplomatic relations.