On September 21, in the heart of Xi'an, an inspiring conversation lit up the stage at an event marking the International Day of Peace and the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Translators and writers from the Chinese mainland and the UK gathered to explore "red culture" translation as a bridge between eras and cultures. 📚✨
Moderated by Su Rui, executive vice president of the Shaanxi Translators Association, the dialogue featured:
- Author He Gu, who shared how revolutionary tales of sacrifice and national hope can feel as vivid as today's blockbuster movies.
- Writer Mu Tao, who reminded us that respecting the original spirit—without flashy stylistic gimmicks—is key to authentic storytelling.
- British translator Robin Gilbank, who brought the "Yan'an Spirit" to life, comparing it to the resilience and creativity of indie artists breaking through barriers.
- Hu Zongfeng, president of the Shaanxi Translators Association, who stressed that, unlike AI, human translators bring heart and soul to every word. ❤️
They discussed how "red culture"—the founding and revolutionary history of the Communist Party of China—carries icons of collectivism, patriotism, and the color red itself, a symbol of revolution. By translating stories from the loess-soaked landscapes of Shaanxi and beyond, these experts are helping global readers connect with the heartbeat of the past.
Gilbank, with over a decade in Shaanxi, described his journey as a cultural expedition—like an explorer in a real-life RPG, questing for nuggets of history! 🗺️🎮 He highlighted voices like American journalist Agnes Smedley, showing that passion for truth transcends borders.
The event was organized by the Translators Association of China and the Shaanxi Translators Association, celebrating the power of translation to spark dialogues that go beyond words. As these translators proved, blending human insight with historical authenticity can light up the world stage—one page at a time. 🌍🤝
Reference(s):
Red culture translation: A key to cultural memory and global dialogue
cgtn.com
