On October 13th, the “Seeing the World Through Literature” reading-sharing event took place at the October Literature Institute in Beijing. This event is part of the ninth Beijing October Literature Month and was organized by the October branch of the Beijing Publishing Group. Five international students from Morocco, Laos, and Cambodia shared their favorite literary works from both Chinese and foreign authors.
Chou Kakada, a student from Cambodia, presented the Chinese classic “Journey to the West,” which has accompanied him throughout his life. He initially found himself drawn to the “magic” in the book, but over time, he came to appreciate the depth of traditional Chinese culture. He views Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, as his “idol” and aspires to embody the heroic spirit of “Qi Tian Da Sheng,” characterized by bravery in the face of challenges.
Nejjaoui El Batoul, hailing from Morocco, expressed her admiration for the unique literary style of Chinese author Wang Xiaobo. She recited a passage from Wang’s work “Loving You is Like Loving Life” in both Chinese and Arabic, specifically the section titled “Loneliness is Ugly.” She noted that in recent years, the excellent works of Wang Xiaobo and other Chinese authors have been translated into Arabic and received widespread acclaim. She hopes to see more outstanding Chinese literature reach international audiences, enabling those who haven’t visited China to understand its culture through literature.
Laotian student Bounlutay Soudthida shared her thoughts on the Chinese version of “Harry Potter,” which significantly impacted her. It was the first Chinese book she read as a child in Laos, and this book marked her initial encounter with the beauty of the Chinese language. It served as her “first step” into exploring Chinese culture.
Lee Sorya, another student from Cambodia, presented a PowerPoint showcasing the local legend “The Male Mountain and Female Mountain.” She highlighted how the story of women transforming their destiny through unity and wisdom resonates with the Chinese tale of “Yugong Moves the Mountain.” Lee emphasized that these two stories reflect the resilience and tenacity of both Cambodian and Chinese people, a trait cherished in both cultures.
Panhahong, also from Cambodia, shared his familiarity with Anna Sewell’s classic “Black Beauty.” He mentioned that he has cherished this story since childhood, learning lessons of empathy and understanding along the way, affirming that every being deserves the right to pursue happiness and dignity.
During the event, the international students also visited the Yongdingmen Gate and the charming October Literature Institute, located at the southern end of Beijing’s central axis. They expressed a growing interest in Chinese culture during their time living and studying in China. They believe in the saying, “Reading thousands of books and traveling thousands of miles,” and emphasized that they aim to explore different cities while also gaining a profound understanding of China through literature. They are hopeful for more opportunities to participate in similar literary events in the future and encourage more friends to join them in experiencing the allure of Chinese culture.
The ninth Beijing October Literature Month kicked off on September 7th, drawing participation from writers, students, and literary enthusiasts across more than thirty countries and regions.
