The Famous Chinese writer Su Tong, winner of the Lu Xun Literature Prize and the Mao Dun Literature Prize, was designated by the China Writers Association (CWA) as head of a delegation to visit Romania at the invitation of the Confucius Institute at the University of Bucharest (CI at UB). Su, along with five other members (novelists, poets and literary critics) of the delegation, arrived at Romania on September 8th for a 4-day visit.

CI at UB arranged a busy schedule for Su and his companions. This schedule included attending seminars, forums, interviews and participating in other related activities with the Writers’ Union of Romania, local publishing firms, sinologists, Agentia Romina de Press, local TV stations, local radio stations and lovers of Chinese literature. By having formal or informal discussions with a group of local notables, such as famous writers, literary critics, editors-in-chiefs of influential magazines, etc., the two sides effectively updated their understanding of one another’s latest developments both in the publishing world and in literary circles.

At the seminar of contemporary Chinese literature as well as the publishing ceremony of the translated works of Su Tong’s famous novels—Rice (Mi) and Wives &Concubines (Qi qie cheng qun), which was jointly hosted by CI at UB and two Romanian publishers, local sinologists and Chinese literature lovers vividly expressed and displayed their keen interest in Chinese novels and poets. In addition, the Chinese delegation was also deeply impressed by the locals’ zest for literature and their comparatively high artistic taste.

Even though the Chinese writers’ delegation only spent a few days in the host country, the visit yielded fruitful results. The delegates were warmly welcomed by Romanian citizens, especially by readers of literary works. It also laid a good foundation for the two countries to conduct further literary exchanges in the future.

This event was one of a series of activities planned and sponsored by the CI at UB to celebrate the arrival of the Global Confucius Institute Day.