The History of the Giant Panda | Meeting with Piotr Parzymies – Author of the Book

About the event

Join us for a meeting with the author, Piotr Parzymies, which will take place on September 9 at 6:00 PM at the Museum of Asia and the Pacific. The conversation will be led by Dr. Blanka Dżugaj. The event is held under the patronage of the Museum of Asia and the Pacific. Don't miss the chance to learn more about pandas and the behind-the-scenes of their 'celebrity' career! Who among us hasn't been charmed by the adorable, sometimes even heartwarming panda, casually munching on bamboo shoots or 'pretending to be sushi' (see: Hua Hua the panda from Chengdu, resembling onigiri)? For several decades, the giant panda has enjoyed unwavering popularity, winning many hearts, including in Poland. However, it's hard to find any book on the Polish market that introduces the panda as a species, as well as a political and diplomatic phenomenon. 'The History of the Giant Panda: From Bamboo Forests to Diplomatic Salons' by Piotr Parzymies presents readers with the intricate history of the panda, as well as its career as a symbol of nature conservation and an element of Chinese diplomacy. If you want to learn more about pandas—and the unknown aspects of Chinese politics—join us on September 9 at 6:00 PM for a meeting with the author of the book, led by Dr. Blanka Dżugaj. 'Historia pandy wielkiej' is, as assessed by Prof. Marcin Jacoby, 'an extraordinary story about the celebrity history of the panda: from brutal hunting, through the rivalry of zoos, to 'panda diplomacy' and the politics of protecting this shy and elusive species.' Writer and journalist Radosław Nawrót adds that thanks to this book, he understood that 'what is allowed regarding pandas is decided by the Chinese [...] And who knows, maybe the giant panda is the most politically important animal in the world?' About the author: Piotr Parzymies (b. 1998) – Polish biologist and science popularizer, author of scientific articles in the field of molecular biology. In 2020, he graduated with honors in biological sciences from the University of Oxford and is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of London. He is passionate about zoology, China, which he regularly visits, and football. In his free time, he also enjoys learning foreign languages, of which he knows at least six at a basic level. Married to a Chinese woman. This book is his publishing debut. 📅 September 9, Tuesday, 6:00 PM 📍 Museum of Asia and the Pacific in Warsaw, ul. Solec 24 Free admission. Limited seating. The book is under the patronage of the Museum of Asia and the Pacific. Co-organizer: Academic Publishing House Dialog.