Literary “Pathlight” from China

The last years have seen an active development of Russia-China relations in economy and politics, but culture is by no means less important in enhancing relations between the two countries. “Both Russia and China, one cannot but agree, have great literatures. However, 30–40 years ago in China the Russian literature led the way in publication and translation, now it has slumped to 4-5 places. Yet at the same time the Chinese literature, by the same indicators, hardly ranks 10, — said Aleksey A. Rodionov, Associate Professor, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies at SPbU. — It doesn’t mean that in China there are no writers, or its literature is commonplace. Recently, Russia has seen a revival of literary translation: during the last 15 years, SPbU scholars in Chinese studies and the Union of Chinese Writers have translated and published about 10 books of various genres. Yet it is a drop in the ocean. Much has already been done by our mutual efforts; still we need to find new ways to make Chinese literature a public property. So, our project, that is a literary magazine the “Svetilnik”, serves as guidance by illuminating the walkways through darkness and incomprehension”.

The “Svetilnik” is published by a magazine “People’s Literature”, a leading literary periodical in China, created in 1949 just after the PCR was established. The magazine opened new authors and high-quality literature to Chinese readers, and almost all famous Chinese writers published there. In 2011, it launched its English version the “Pathlight”, in 2014, French version, in 2015, Russian, German and Japan versions, and this year it is launching its Spanish, Arab, and Italian versions. The translators are those who are native-speakers, not infrequently writers, poets or scholars, which is, to the editorial board, optimal way to render the spirit and content of the Chinese literature to foreign readers. The coordinator of the Russian version “Svetilnik” is Igor A. Egorov, SPbU graduate, a famous translator. According to Deputy Editor-in- Chief of the “People’s Lliterature” Ning Xiaoling, it was obvious to arrange Russia-China forum and present the magazine in collaboration with SPbU, as the University and the Faculty of Oriental Studies have brought up an incredible number of outstanding specialists, who form the core of translation team. “Unfortunately, little do we know about the Russian authors, and we therefore need to joint our efforts in enhancing literature connections. “Svetilnik” is specifically intended to support literature contacts and exchanges”, — said Mr. Ning Xiaoling.

The presentation was attended by famous Chinese writers and poets: Lei Pingyang, Wei Wei, Hong Ke. They read some excerpts, and SPbU scholars in Oriental studies presented their translations. “For me, it is a unique event: some years ago we did not even think of close cooperation with the Chinese Writers Association and Chinese literary magazine in Russian, — said I. А. Egorov. — Today, in Russia there are some wrong stereotypes about China, its people and modern literature which we know little, and any opportunity in enhancing cooperation between the two countries is unique. The project is going to be a success, to my mind, and the first issue features mainly the translations made by SPbU graduates. Our teachers would have been happy and proud to have such opportunities to popularise Chinese literature in Russia”.