Promoting cultural exchange through 'Judge Dee Mysteries'

The upcoming historical detective drama "Judge Dee Mysteries," based on Dutch diplomat and sinologist Robert van Gulik's renowned works, is already generating significant interest even before its official release. Adapted from the classic tales featuring the iconic Tang Dynasty (618-907) magistrate, Judge Dee, the series promises to serve as a cultural bridge between China and the Netherlands. 

"Judge Dee Mysteries" hosted a launching ceremony on Wednesday. During the event, Cultural Counselor Yu Jian from the Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands stated the novel "Judge Dee Mysteries" is one of the significant works for Western audiences to understand Chinese culture. Yu expressed excitement about the upcoming TV series. Meanwhile, Cultural and Public Diplomacy Counselor Ingrid de Beer from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in China expressed that mutual understanding through television and film has brought the two cultures closer. 

In a recent announcement, Youku revealed its plan to gift the broadcasting rights to the Netherlands, with COO Wu Qian expressing the desire for the show to become a conduit for cultural exchange. The series will also be available on the international version of the Youku app, offering subtitles in ten languages, including English, Portuguese, and Thai.

"Judge Dee Mysteries" resonates across centuries for both China and the Netherlands. Since its English version was introduced in the 1950s, it has captivated audiences in Europe and the Americas. Translated into over a dozen languages, the character of Judge Dee has served as a cultural ambassador, earning him the title of "China's Sherlock Holmes" in the Western world.