CCTV9英语新闻：Czech appreciation of Chinese literature

President Xi's visit to the Czech Republic is expected to spotlight Chinese culture. The works of Lao Tze and Confucius already have quite a following, thanks to the work of Czech sinologists.

 

One of the pioneer sinologists is Jaroslav Prusek.

 

He introduced the famous Chinese writer Lu Xun to Czechs as early as the 1930s.

 

Students drew inspiration from Prusek's work.

 

Oldrich Kral is one of them.

 

" I'm student of Mr. Jaroslav Prusek. I was focusing on novels. I wrote a paper on Chinese novel ‘The Scholars'," said Kral.

 

Kral didn't stop with "The Scholars".  He also translated the classics, "A Dream of the Red Mansions" and "Wen Xin Diao Long", known in English as "The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons".

 

The Beijing government recognized his contributions with an award in 2003.

 

Kral is now 85 years old.  He says he looks forward to President Xi's visit and what it represents.

 

"This is the new era between our two nations. There are many interesting things that we can communicate, and learn from each other. I hope this is the new beginning," Kral said.

 

Many young sinologists are carrying on the work of Kral and his predecessors.

 

Zuzana Li says modern works are gaining popularity.

 

" Most Czech readers are interested in ancient Chinese literature. That's because the translations came earlier, and they are in greater quantity. Among the modern works, "Dragon Totem" and the books of Nobel winner Mo Yan are quite popular," Li said.

 

Li also believes the future is bright.

 

"I believe that the exchanges between the two nations will get better and better," Li said.



Li's hopes are not just for literature, but all aspects of culture.