With its capital in present-day Nanjing, the Southern Tang was one of China’s short dynasties but one of the great states in China in the tenth century (937-976). Although often regarded as one of several states preceding the much better-known Song dynasty (960-1279), the Southern Tang dynasty was in fact the key state in this period, preserving cultural values and artefacts from the former great Tang dynasty (618-907) and leaving behind a splendid literary legacy.
The Southern Tang was famous for its last emperor, Li Yu, not for his feat as a ruler, but for his literary talent as a poet. His dynasty, and subsequently his life, was tragically cut short by the founder of the Song dynasty. A master of the ci song form, Li Yu wrote many lyrics, of which about 30 have survived, becoming gems of classical Chinese literature. His earlier poems reflect the gay and luxurious life at his court, but he achieved his greatness in his later poems in which he expressed his grief and despair at the loss of his kingdom. The direct and powerful emotional appeal of these later works has won them lasting popularity.
The history of this important period in Chinese history and the literary talent of Li Yu as a poet, a painter, calligrapher, collector, and musician will be explored by Prof. Zou Jinfeng, a historian and author on the Southern Tang at this Renwen lecture on Oct. 8, 2022.
With a Ph.D. in history, Dr. Zou is currently an associate professor of history at Nanjing University. She is the author of The History of the Southern Tang and Jinjing (Nanjing) during the Tang and the Song.
五代十国时期，在史家笔下为著名的乱世。它介于唐宋之间，辉煌的大唐气象、繁荣的宋代文化，模糊了后人关于五代十国的记忆。千年之后，我们如果回望这历史长河中的短短数十年，凝眸那些被淡忘帝王将相、贩夫走卒，仿佛还能看到他们在失序和沉沦中挣扎着、生活着、蜕变着，也创造着。新的文学形式、新的艺术风格，在此时悄然萌芽。在这样的时代，有一个人，他曾经繁华，又在落魄中离世。后人同情他的叹息和眼泪，惋惜他的天纵奇才，感慨他的跌宕身世，这就是古代文学史上里程碑式的词人——南唐李后主（937-978年），五代十国之际南唐的最后一任国主。
南唐是唐宋之际五代十国时期的一个政权。其统治范围，北到淮河，南到南岭，东到大海，西到长江中游。
唐朝覆灭到北宋建立之前，中原五代相继，中原以外地区先后十个政权并存，所以称为五代十国时期。在这十国之中，南唐及其前身杨吴，不仅地域相对广大，而且政治地位十分突出。
南唐后主李煜继位时适逢北宋建立，南唐战败之后政治混乱，财政匮乏，而北宋逐步统一南方诸政权，终于在李后主继位十余年后攻破南唐都城。南唐就此灭亡。
南唐立国虽然短暂，但在历史上留下了深刻的印记。
南唐历史结束之时，距唐朝之亡仅仅80余年。对于中国数千年的历史而言，80年不过是一瞬间，而此前此后的两个朝代——唐朝和宋朝已是在政治、经济、社会、文化等各方面都很不相同了。五代十国兴衰是唐宋之间变化的重要一环。在当时诸国，唐朝的印迹尚未退尽，而宋朝的气象已初露端倪。
南唐后主李煜是唐宋之间文化变迁的最典型代表，他开后世词风，被王国维赞为：“词至李后主而眼界始大，感慨遂深，变伶工之词为士大夫之词。”他还精于书法，擅长乐舞。他所在的南唐，在文学、音乐、绘画诸方面都留下杰作。李后主不仅是一位国主、一位词人，他也是一个时代缩影，后人从其作品和人生中，能看到唐宋之际文化转型的轨迹。
为进一步了解南唐的兴衰和李后主跌宕的人生，华美人文学会美东时间10月8日晚8时至9时半（北京时间10月9日上午8时至9时半）特邀南唐史专家邹劲风博士做“南唐后主李煜”专题讲座。邹博士在讲座中将为听众讲述南唐的历史和李后主的文学造诣。
邹劲风，浙江慈溪人。历史学博士，南京大学历史学院副教授，著有《南唐国史》、《唐宋金陵考》等专著。长期讲授《中国古代史》、《历史文献学》、《南京地方史》等课程。曾多次为中外学者、学生做中国中古史、南京地方史等讲座。