Peking University, Beijing, Dec.17th, 2009: The awarding ceremony of 2009 “Annual Best Foreign Novels of the 21st Century” was held in the Democracy Building in Peking University (PKU). Renowned Chinese writers Mo Yan and Li Er conferred the prizes to Martin Walser and the delegate of Augusto Cury. Martin Walser’s prize-winning work is Ein Liebender Mann (Translated by Prof. Huang Liaoyu) and Augusto Cury’s is O vendedor de sonhos (Translated by Wei Ling and Shi Liang).

The Award of “Annual Best Foreign Novels of the 21st Century” is the only Chinese literature award for foreign writers initiated from the year 2001. There are 51 literary works from 17 foreign writers awarded in recent 8 years. 2 of the recipients have been laureates of the Noble Prizes. This award helps to promote translation of foreign works and the communication between the Chinese and foreign literary circles.

The awarding ceremony this year was held by China Publishing Group, People's Literature Publishing House and China Foreign Literature Society. It is also co-organized by the Department of German in Peking University and Goethe Institution. In addition, this is also the first time for this awarding ceremony to be held in a university. A large number of experts, scholars and delegates from foreign embassies attended the awarding ceremony.

The chorus by senior students from the Department of German enlivened the ceremony. Then Martin Walser gave a speech titled “Literature Conveys Information”, in which he emphasizes on the relation between literature and politics.His presentation focused on the function of literature in promoting international relationship and understanding.

This ceremony also attracted attention from overseas media. The speech of Martin Walser was published in Süddeutsche Zeitung on Dec. 16th. Literary Newspaper published his speech in Chinese on Dec.19th. At the same time, the German Embassy in Beijing published Martin Walser’s speech both in German and Chinese on their website. Die Welt, the famous German newspaper, also had an in-depth report on this activity with comments on Martin Walser’s speech on Dec.17th.

Martin Walser visited China and stayed at Peking University in 2008 at the invitation of Peking University and Goethe Institution. The warm welcome from Peking University students and the beautiful scenery of the campus impressed him a lot.

Translated by: An Jiang
Edited by: Cai Ying
Source: PKU News (Chinese)