Leiden University Student Repository

Kimmenade, Lise van de (2020)

Chinese Performing Arts and Riverdance: The Importance of Performing Arts in International Relations

Bachelor thesis | International Studies (BA)

Cultural exchange is so embedded in daily life that the importance of it for international relations is not apparent. Cultural products or services may unconsciously generate feelings towards the nation they represent. Irish Riverdance, and Chinese dancing, for example, are actively generating emotions and stances among their international audiences, and the exchange of these cultural products generates mutual understanding between these nations. The aim of this thesis is to study the significance of cultural exchange as a means of soft power and cultural diplomacy in international communication and cooperation. The case studies of this thesis are Chinese and Irish performing arts. This study implies that the relations between China and Ireland are positively influenced by cultural diplomacy and soft power.

cultural diplomacy

performing arts

soft-power

nation branding

Ireland

China

Author

Kimmenade, Lise van de

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

International Studies - East Asia

Supervisors

Landsberger, Stefan

ECTS Credits

15

Language

en