Culture
16:59, 24-Nov-2017
First EU-China International Literary Festival opens in Beijing
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The first EU-China International Literary Festival opened in Beijing on Tuesday with a number of Chinese and European authors participating. For the next two weeks, the festival will visit the capital and Chengdu in southwestern Sichuan Province. There are plans to feature different cities in subsequent festivals, with a series of public events showcasing the finest literary talents from China and the EU.
From novelists and short story writers to poets and playwrights, the first EU-China International Literary Festival highlights some of the leading European and Chinese literary talents. And it is here where they can exchange ideas, engage with readers and audiences, and celebrate the diversity of European and Chinese culture.
Hans Dietmar Schweisgut,the EU ambassador to China. /CGTN Photo
Hans Dietmar Schweisgut,the EU ambassador to China. /CGTN Photo
Hans Dietmar Schweisgut, the EU ambassador to China, said EU member states should not only cooperate in economic and political affairs, but also engage more in culture.
Created by the Delegation of the European Union to China as part of the "Experience Europe" initiative, the festival aims to expose the region's diverse and rich culture, history and geography to more Chinese people.
Chinese author Chen Qiufan who attended the festival said he would love to have discussions with European authors to understand and share ideas about how the issues and problems they encounter while writing.
Such literary exchanges are not ending here. Over the next 18 months, a second and third EU-China International Literary Festival will be rolled out. China can expect to welcome more authors from all the EU member states, and also connect homegrown authors with audiences across the country.