Cao Shui Congratulates Five Translators Honoured by The Rhythm of Vietnam

 

Chinese poet Cao Shui, author of Epic of Eurasia and founder of the Great Poetry Movement, has extended warm congratulations to the five recipients of the The Rhythm of Vietnam International Translation Day Award 2026, in a special video message released on World Translation Day, 30 September 2026.

In his message, Cao Shui congratulated the awardees—Juan Garrido Salgado (Australia), Alexandra Cretté (French Guiana/France), Nandita Samanta (India), Marcos Freitas (Brazil), and Dr. Ashraf Aboul-Yazid (Egypt)—for their outstanding contributions to literary translation and cultural exchange.

“Your work reminds us that translation is a bridge, bringing people together, cultures, and ways of seeing the world,” Cao Shui said, emphasizing the wider cultural significance of translation beyond the simple transfer of words between languages.

The Chinese poet also welcomed the initiative of The Rhythm of Vietnam, established in 2005, in creating an international award dedicated to translators and their contribution to world literature. He described the recognition of the five translators as an honour and a celebration of international literary friendship.

Cao Shui characterized the five awardees as “five honors, five cultural bridges,” highlighting the way their individual translation activities connect different literary traditions and cultural communities across continents.

The video message adds an international dimension to the inaugural The Rhythm of Vietnam International Translation Day Award 2026, which recognizes translators from Australia, French Guiana/France, India, Brazil and Egypt for their dedication to literary translation and intercultural dialogue.

For Cao Shui, whose literary project Epic of Eurasia seeks to bring together voices and civilizations across the Eurasian cultural space, translation represents one of the essential forces of contemporary world literature. His message therefore carries particular resonance for an award devoted to translators as cultural intermediaries.

Concluding his video, Cao Shui offered his warmest congratulations and literary friendship to the five honourees and to The Rhythm of Vietnam, celebrating their shared commitment to literature as a means of communication, understanding and friendship among peoples.

The message was delivered on 30 September 2026, marking World Translation Day and giving a Chinese literary voice to an international celebration of five translators and the cultural bridges their work continues to build.

Press Release: Cao Shui, Chairman of the Jury, Announces the Winners of the International Translation Day Awards on International Translation Day On September 30, International Translation Day, the winner list of the inaugural 2026 International Translation Day Awards of The Rhythm of Vietnam was officially released at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an. Founded by Vo Thi Nhu Mai, the competition appoints poet Cao Shui as Chairman of the Jury. It recognizes outstanding writers and translators worldwide for their remarkable contributions to translation, literary creation and cross‑cultural exchange. Five distinguished international literary figures are awarded this year: Juan Garrido Salgado, Alexandra Cretté, Nandita Samanta, Ashraf Aboul‑Yazid (Ashraf Dali), and Marcos Freitas. Founded in 2005, The Rhythm of Vietnam has long built a platform for transnational literary dialogue. Centered on the core concept of Five Voices. Five Honours. Five Cultural Bridges, the award interprets the profound meaning of translation as a bond between civilizations. The congratulatory letter states: Translation is a bridge between people, cultures and ways of seeing the world. Languages bring us closer. Literature connects our worlds. Cao Shui, Chairman of the Jury, has long been devoted to the international communication of Silk Road poetry. He led the jury review and released the winner list to the Chinese literary circle at the International Translation Day event, promoting literary exchanges across Asia, Europe and the globe and advancing dialogue among diverse civilizations