The Library holds hundreds of published recollections of migrants from non-English-speaking backgrounds. What do they tell us about the migrant experience and about Australia as a country of immigration? Do migrants’ life histories form part of Australian history? And what’s food got to do with ‘ethnic writing’? Klaus Neumann answers these and other questions in discussing six authors, including a Canberran born in Hungary.

Klaus Neumann is Professor of History at Swinburne University. His most recent book, Across the Seas: Australia’s Response to Refugees, has been shortlisted for a NSW Premier’s Literary Award.

Professor Neumann’s Fellowship is supported by Deidre McCann and Kevin McCann AM and the Macquarie Group Foundation.

Matteo Ricci, the famous sixteenth century pioneer Jesuit missionary to China, noted that books enabled people to understand the events of yesteryear. Thus, the Jesuits founded libaries throughout the world in a desire to share knowledge across cultures. Dr Jeremy Clarke describes the role of such books and libraries, and discusses some of the treasures on display from the NLA collection.

Dr Clarke lived in Beijing and Shanghai for a year after finishing high school, as the inaugural recipient of the Australian Young Scholar in China scholarship. He completed an undergraduate degree in Chinese language at Macquarie University, later obtaining a PhD in Pacific and Asian history at the Australian National University. He has spent a number of years as an Assistant Professor in the history department of Boston College.

In association with the Australian Centre on China in the World

Initiated in 1951, the Volunteer Graduate Scheme was a world leading and globally influential program, helping Australia's neighbours develop, free from colonialism. Dr Agnieszka Sobocinska reveals its history.

Dr Agnieszka Sobocinska’s Fellowship with the National Library of Australia is supported by Ryan Stokes.

Barbara Blackman AO launches her new collection of essays, introduced by Kerry Stokes AC, and in conversation with journalist Alex Sloan.

Marking Europe Day and the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, Emeritus Professor Ian Donaldson (University of Melbourne) and Professor Ian Gadd (Bath Spa University) explore how the playwright and poet became a global phenomenon.

Photographer and performer William Yang reflects on his recent journey through China.

Humble House Director Roger Carter explores the evolution of Chinese furniture.

Established in 1998, Humble House Gallery collects, conserves and sells authentic Chinese furniture.

Why was it Sir Robert Menzies who laid the Library’s foundation stone 50 years ago on March 31, 1966? Senior Curator Robyn Holmes has scoured the Library’s collections to unravel a mystery.

Dr Nathan Woolley, curator of Celestial Empire, introduces the religious landscape under the Qing dynasty.

Dr David Brophy discusses the distinctive historical traditions of the Manchus, and the place of Manchu culture and identity in the Qing dynasty.