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Mission royale
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-07 07:54
A grand ceremony was held on Friday in Beijing to celebrate the global launch of Tibetan writer Alai's new novel King Gesar. Four ballad singers who have been telling stories of the legendary Tibetan king also joined the ceremony. Gao Hongbo, vice-chairman of the Writers' Association, praised the novel's eloquence and narrative skill. Before Alai signed the contract to write King Gesar as part of the global Myth Series project, publishers had asked to introduce the novel to 16 countries in six languages. However, the novel has yet to be translated, says Chen Jianjun with the Chongqing Publishing Group, which is in charge of finding Chinese authors for the Myth project. A highly possible candidate for the undertaking is Professor Howard Goldblatt, who introduced Alai's Red Poppies to English readers a few years ago. Alai says they became good friends during the translation, which familiarized Goldblatt with Tibetan culture and his writing. During his lecture at the Beijing book fair last Friday, Goldblatt said he has been urging Alai for a new book and that he would gladly take on the new task. British publisher Canongate Books initiated the Myth Series in 1999, inviting world-famous writers to rewrite ancient myths from different cultures. Publishers from more than 40 countries and regions have joined the project, involving authors ranging from Canada's Margaret Atwood to Russia's Victor Pelevin. Chinese authors Su Tong, Ye Zhaoyan and Li Rui have joined the project with Bi Nu, The Myth of Houyi and Chang'e and The Myth of Lady White Snake. Professor Goldblatt has translated Bi Nu, which is based on the tale of Meng Jiangnu, whose quest for her husband ended in the collapse of the Great Wall. Alai will also give a speech on globalization's influences on disadvantaged cultures at the Frankfurt Bookfair held in mid-October. Liu Jun
(China Daily 09/07/2009 page8) |
