thesilkroadtoday
Beijing, China — The 32nd Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) witnessed a remarkable celebration of Chinese literature’s global reach with the prominent display of multilingual editions of Epic of Eurasia, the monumental epic poem by acclaimed Chinese poet Cao Shui. Featured as a centerpiece of the fair’s “Going Global” initiative, the exhibition highlighted the work’s growing international influence and its role in fostering cross-cultural literary dialogue.
Six editions of Epic of Eurasia were presented to visitors, including the original Chinese edition, the English translation by George Wallace and edited by Vo Thi Nhu Mai, the Arabic translation by Ashraf Aboul-Yazid, and three distinct Italian editions translated and compiled by Lamberto Garzia. Together, these editions demonstrated the epic’s expanding global presence and the success of its translation into diverse linguistic and cultural contexts.
During the event, Liu Wenfei, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Beiyue Literature and Art Publishing House, offered a comprehensive introduction to the Chinese edition. He discussed the epic’s ambitious structure, its exploration of civilizational integration across Eurasia, and its significance within contemporary Chinese literature. His presentation underscored the work’s literary depth and its contribution to international cultural exchange.
The exhibition also featured an impressive display of twelve major literary awards that Epic of Eurasia has received both in China and abroad. Among these honors was Italy’s prestigious Ossi di Seppia International Poetry Prize, reflecting the widespread recognition the work has earned within global literary circles. Organizers announced that further media coverage and in-depth studies of the epic’s international reception will be released in the coming months.
The epic’s global journey continues to gain momentum, with translations currently underway in Russian, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, and Finnish, further extending its reach to readers around the world.
Adding a distinctive cultural touch to the event, Cao Shui attended the launch wearing a custom-designed T-shirt featuring imagery and motifs from Epic of Eurasia. The unique garment attracted considerable attention and was warmly received by readers and visitors alike.
Following the presentation, Cao Shui presented copies of the English edition of Epic of Eurasia to several distinguished figures from China’s literary and artistic communities. Recipients included Ji Di Majia, renowned poet and Director of the Poetry Committee of the China Writers Association; Liu Xiaoqing, celebrated actress and recipient of both the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Awards; and Dai Yudong, noted poet and former Vice President of the Chinese Poetry Society. All expressed high praise for the epic’s literary achievements and international significance.
Later in the day, Cao Shui joined Liu Xunfu, President of the Beijing China Oriental Poetry, Calligraphy and Painting Academy, in presenting an Honorary Doctor of Literature certificate to Dai Yudong. The distinction was conferred by the Egyptian Golden Poetry Literary Thinker Forum in recognition of his outstanding contributions to poetry and literary culture.
